Sunday, September 7, 2025
24.9 C
Lagos

‘NCC Not Disqualifying Nigerians Below 18 From Getting SIM’

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would like to draw the attention of the public to a publication in a section of the media, purporting that the Commission is developing a regulation to disqualify Nigerians below 18 years of age from getting Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).
For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission wishes to categorically state that the said report is not only misleading and inaccurate; but a misinformation and mischaracterisation of the proceedings of the Public Inquiry on the Reviewed/Draft Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, which took place on Tuesday, October 6, 2021.
The Commission considers it necessary to set the record straight for the purpose of serving existing and potential telecom subscribers, investors and other stakeholders in the industry accurate information for making informed decisions.
In accordance with sections 70 and 71 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 and the Commission’s consultative engagement process, which define its rule-making process, the public inquiry was held for all relevant stakeholders to provide input on the draft regulatory instrument.
The age of 18 years for SIM acquisition proposed in the draft regulation is contingent on the constitutional provision, which makes 18 years the age of consent in Nigeria. Also, SIM acquisition is a contract between service providers and their subscribers, which requires the subscriber to have proper legal status, be of matured mind and rational enough to bear certain responsibilities, obligations and liabilities imposed by a contract.
The proposal is, therefore, to protect minors. Parents and guardians can acquire SIMs in their names on behalf of their children and wards in which case they assume whatever responsibilities or liabilities arise from the usage of such SIMs, a measure expected to also strengthen national security.
While the Commission is progressively pursuing digital inclusion for all, the draft proposal is intended to guarantee increased monitoring of children and shield the minors from undue liabilities in line with NCC’s Child Online Protection drive.
However, the consultative engagement process is still on-going, as the Commission is reviewing all input from relevant stakeholders in this regard and will consider and deliberate on all comments before issuing a final regulatory instrument.
We appeal to our media stakeholders to always fact-check their stories pertaining to telecoms regulatory issues and seek necessary clarifications for informed and accurate reporting as the Commission runs an open-house system.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Nigeria, Brazil Central Banks Deepen Economic, Financial Co-operation

Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has held talks...

Ecobank Nigeria to Host Second Edition of Design & Build, Showcasing Premier Innovators in Design, Construction

Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading pan-African banking...

Expert: Fintech, Financial Inclusion Critical for Sustainable Growth of Nigerian Economy

A renowned economist, Dr. Biodun Adedipe, the Chief Consultant/CEO,...

Sterling Bank Marks One Year of Africa’s Groundbreaking Core Banking System

Number one Best Workplace in Banking in Nigeria and...

Topics

Stanbic IBTC: More Winners Emerge in Reward4Saving Promo

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC...

Fidelity Bank Set to Host 2 Days of Family Entertainment

In the spirit of the Yuletide, leading financial institution,...

Access Bank, SaltinGStein Unveil Winbundle Airtime2Win Initiative

L - R: Simi Daphne Adeoye VP Business Development and...

MTN Plans FCFA140bn Expansion in Côte d’Ivoire

MTN Cote d’Ivoire said on 10 June, 2016 that...

HOW TO ACCESS FEDERAL MORTGAGE LOANS IN NIGERIA

By Dennis Isong Housing being one of the most crucial...

Brokers, Arbitrators Partner on Insurance Growth

The Assistant Executive Secretary, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance...

Finance Minister, Wale Edun, Charges New NDIC Management on Performance

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the...

Funnel Unveils e-Logistic Services in Nigeria

Funnel Logistics Technologies Limited, Nigeria’s pioneer e-logistics technology company...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img