Protests at MTN offices nationwide over mass sim card disconnections

On Sunday, thousands of Nigerians discovered their SIM cards had been barred by MTN Group Limited, causing widespread outrage. The telecommunications company stated that the disconnections were due to subscribers failing to link their National Identification Number (NIN) with their SIM cards.

In response, numerous frustrated subscribers gathered at 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 captured the protests, showcasing the public’s frustration over the sudden disconnection and their demands for a resolution.

This move comes amid pressure from Nigerian regulators for telecom companies to enforce the NIN-linkage policy introduced in December 2020. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had initially set a deadline of February 28, 2024, for the NIN linkage, which was later extended to April 15, 2024, and then to July 31, 2024.

Additionally, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has accused telecom companies of undermining the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria. In a statement titled ‘Sabotage By Telecoms Companies,’ Adegboruwa called on the NCC to take urgent action to safeguard subscribers’ interests, criticizing the companies for disconnecting users over minor or unspecified issues.

However, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), dismissed the allegations, calling them unfounded and labeling them as the “funniest allegation anybody can make”.