-Deborah Akinyosoye
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has disqualified Nigerians below the age of 18 from getting a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, as sources revealed that the policy is aimed to protect minors from the liabilities that arise from the usage of such Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).
NigeriaTodayTimes reports that, the sources at the commission explained that parents and guardians can acquire Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in their names on behalf of their children and wards and assume any responsibilities or liabilities that may arise from the use of such cards.
The Nigerian telecommunication regulator, it is recalled has been tweaking its telecommunications policies to combat security threats in Nigeria, constitutionally 18 years is the age of consent in Nigeria, while in 2021 it proposed a Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations.
NigeriaTodayTimes further reports that the regulations suggested banning minors in Nigeria from acquiring a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card., and that regulation is now in effect, while data showed that Nigeria’s mobile subscriptions have dropped from 219 million in March to 153 million in September.
The sources at the commission explained that the decline was attributed to the removal of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards not linked to a verified National Identification Number (NIN), while another reason was that there was a discrepancy in data submitted by a Mobile Network Operator.
NigeriaTodayTimes also reports that another source disclosed that the commission discovered that one Mobile Network Operator incorrectly reported around 40 million subscribers as active, despite the absence of any revenue-generating activity over a 90-day period.
‘This was in direct violation of the Commission’s guidelines for determining active subscribers and led to an inflated report of the operator’s subscriber base, thereby skewing industry statistics’, the source emphasised.
NigeriaTodayTimes reports that as at the time of filing this report the spokesperson of the agency could not be reached, however, the commission believes Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) acquisition is a contract between service providers and their subscribers,
Meanwhile, this requires the subscriber to have proper legal status, be of mature mind and be rational enough to bear certain responsibilities, obligations and liabilities imposed by a contract.