Protests Erupt At MTN Offices Across Nigeria Over Mass SIM Card Disconnection

Thousands of Nigerians woke up on Sunday to find their SIM cards barred by MTN Group Limited, sparking widespread outrage.

The telecommunications giant claimed that the affected subscribers had failed to link their National Identification Number (NIN) with their SIM cards.

In response, scores of disgruntled subscribers stormed MTN offices in major cities, including Osogbo in Osun State; Ikeja, and Festac town in Lagos State; Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Warri in Delta State.

Viral videos online show protesters venting their frustration and anger over the sudden disconnection. The protests highlight the frustration and disruption caused by the mass disconnection, with many subscribers demanding a resolution to the issue.”

The disconnection comes as Nigerian regulators pressure telecoms companies to implement the NIN-linkage policy introduced in December 2020.

In February 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) told telecoms companies to bar subscribers who failed to link their phone numbers to their NIN on or before February 28, 2024. The deadline was extended to April 15, 2024, and later July 31, 2024.

SaharaReporters also reported that Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) on Sunday accused telecoms companies of sabotaging the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Sunday, titled ‘Sabotage By Telecoms Companies,’ Adegboruwa urged the NCC to take immediate action and protect the interests of subscribers.

The statement accused telecoms companies of disconnecting subscribers for flimsy reasons.

“For the past few days, some telecoms companies have been disconnecting their subscribers for very flimsy and untenable reasons. Some allege lack of NIN registration or linking while some didn’t not give any reason at all,” it said.

However, rthe Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), Engr Gbenga Adebayo, has denied the allegation.

Adebayo described the allegation as unfounded in an interview with Vanguard, saying it is the “funniest allegation anybody can make”.