MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telco, over the weekend barred the lines of thousands of subscribers yet to link their National Identification Number (NIN).
Most 9mobile subscribers have also not been able to receive or make calls since Saturday night.
The development comes days before a July 31, 2024 deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
MTN began blocking non-compliant SIMs in December 2023, said two people with knowledge of the matter. However, several MTN users claimed that their SIMs were blocked on Sunday despite linking their NINs.
“I submitted my NIN twice, but my SIM was blocked without prior notice. I have been using this number for over ten years. Where do I start from?” one person told TechCabal. One person with direct knowledge of the situation said possible reasons could include incomplete NIN registration or a mismatch with SIM registration details.
“The name on the SIM registration is different from the one on the NIN. So I need to go and update it,” one MTN customer said, confirming that the telco sent multiple notifications before blocking her number.
Meanwhile, aggrieved subscribers have besieged MTN offices across the country to express frustration and disappointment over the telecom company’s blocking of phone numbers.
Some of the subscribers, in the early hours of Monday, July 29, 2024, arrived at the MTN offices with long queues formed at the entrances.
As the issue escalates, Telco operators have now shared easy steps for affected customers to unblock their lines.
How to unblock your MTN line from your phone without going to their office
MTN Nigeria in a tweet explained how subscribers can unblock their line.
MTN tweeted; “Unblock your line anytime, anywhere!
“Here are easy steps you can take.
“Get started at http://nin.mtn.ng
“Need additional support from our stores?
“We are open 7 days a week.”
How to unblock your Airtel and other networks
Airtel customers are expected to dial *121# and input their eleven digit NIN number.
For Glo, the code is *109*NIN number#.
While Smile customers should send their valid NIN to customercare@smile.com.ng or call 07020444444.
Spectranet customers should call toll-free line 8002345678 and submit NIN but will have to get your KYC done at a Spectranet store, and Ntel customers should visit any Ntel store with their NIN to update their lines.
