The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled new Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) replacement rules for individuals, corporate organisations and IoT/machine to machine.

NCC released a new comprehensive document bearing the guidelines for both individuals and corporate consumers recently. The NCC, in the document titled, ‘Business Rules and Operational Processes for Implementation of the SIM Replacement Guidelines 2022’ noted that the processes would govern SIM replacement of individuals and corporate (IoT and M2M) bodies.

According to the Commission, these processes shall be read in conjunction with the SIM Replacement Guidelines 2021 and the provisions of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Registration.

NCC stated that the use of NIN is mandatory for all SIM replacement. The commission said adequate quality assurance measures shall be built into the validation and verification processes to ensure the accuracy of verifications/validations. It stressed that where Bank Verification Number (BVN) generated NIN is flagged by NIMC, communication service providers shall not conduct SIM replacement for Individual and corporate (IoT/M2M) subscribers. Communication service provider shall advise the subscriber to return to NIMC office for regularisation.

According to NCC, where communications service providers are unable to successfully verify the subscriber’s NIN records due to degradation in the service availability threshold, communications service providers are to refer to Appendix 2 of the Business Rules for SIM Registration.

In respect of foreigners who wish to perform SIM replacement, NCC said foreigners, who are lawfully residing in Nigeria for two years or more fall under the category of registrable persons, shall require a NIN for SIM replacement while foreigners validly transiting through Nigeria or are employed in or reside in Nigeria for less than 24 months are exempted from the mandatory use of NIN requirement.

According to NCC, persons in this category need to justify that they will be residing in Nigeria for less than two years. NIN is mandatory for foreigners with legal residency status or those living in Nigeria for two years and above.

For those who do not already have a NIN, NCC said communications service providers shall capture the resident’s details for NIN issuance as part of the NIN enrolment process, upon presentation of residents’ permits. It added that foreigners with Visitor’s visas (with visas less than two years) do not require a NIN.

NCC said communications service providers will capture the following on their records before new SIM activations, MNP and SIM replacements: International passport biodata page and visa page.

Further, communications service providers shall capture live facial images of the subscriber during SIM replacements for effective verification. Where subscribers’ fingerprint or facial image or passport photograph (Corporate subscriber) matches NIMC and SIM registration records, other forms of validations shall not be required. The commission noted that communications service providers shall provide service, obtain consent and update subscriber SIM Registration records with NIMC data, following verification of biometrics. For this purpose, SIM replacement Forms shall be updated with the consent form provision.

According to the document, where primary telecoms master’s NIN data and communications service provider’s SIM registration records match, and secondary telecoms master’s NIN is successfully verified, other forms of verification shall not be required.

The NCC noted that where primary telecoms master’s NIN data and communications service provider’s SIM registration KYC records do not match (or where primary telecoms master’s SIM registration database is not available), SIM registration data shall be updated with NIN details upon facial verification of primary telecom master’s passport photograph and consent form from the corporate subscriber.

For SIM replacement/upgrades on secondary lines, secondary telecoms master’s NIN shall be validated as part of corporate subscriber’s SIM-NIN harmonisation before SIM replacement is carried out.

NCC said SIM replacement/upgrade for primary telecom master shall not require secondary NIN validation, adding that any peculiar request different from any corporate entity, which is at variance to the general rules on corporate and IoT/M2M SIM activation and replacement shall be treated on a case by case basis after such corporate entity procures a waiver from NCC and upon written directives from the commission to the concerned communications service provider.

The telecoms regulator said a check must be carried out by the communications service providers for all new activations and Port-in requests to ensure that the limit on the number of activations per subscriber as specified by the commission from time to time is strictly adhered
to.

by Agency report

The Minister of State, Industry,Trade and Investment, Amb.  Mariam Katagum has reiterated Federal Government commitment to developing the non -oil sector, especially the Agricultural sector.

Katagum said this in Abuja at the inauguration of the women Agro Processors Agricgen and Exporters Initiative (Wapagein).

According to her, one of the key priorities of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Administration is the development of the non-oil sector and premium is being placed on the Agricultural sector.

“This administration is keen on implementing policies and Programmes aimed at supporting women in business and also encourages harnessing available resources aimed at strengthening financial capacity of women “she said.

The President , WAPAGEIN, Mrs Esther Adebayo, in her keynote address, said that the newly birthed Organisation would promote agric-business through product value additions for export into International markets.

“Our goal is to facilitate, improve and promote Agricultural productivity marketing of explortable products and sustainably move women and youth out of chronic vulnerability and poverty.

“We are also looking at forming co-operatives ,organise and encourage women producers , processors ,small holder farmers and exports .

“We must move away from the youth empowerment programmes as it were,the youth need investments and Agro-business is well loaded with millions of job creation for the youths,” she said.

She noted that the activities of the Organisation would also promote sustainable household food security through urban household farming which will ensure and guarantee Nigeria’s export business.

The last is yet to be heard on the controversies surrounding the zoning of governorship position in Enugu State.

Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu had last week challenged proponents of zoning to show evidence where any such meeting held.

In what appears to be a response to that challenge, Enugu West leaders, under the umbrella of Ife Emelumma addressed journalists in Enugu on Tuesday, where they displayed a document showing a meeting where zoning was discussed at a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, caucus meeting in 2013.

The press briefing was addressed by Senator Prince Ben Collins Ndu, flanked by other leaders from his Enugu West zone.

He said at a well attended meeting in 2013, the State caucus agreed on the rotation of the governorship position and it was signed by over 50 stakeholders, including Senator Ekweremadu.

According to Senator Ndu, the motion for the zoning and rotation of the guber position was moved by Chief Dubem Onyia and seconded by himself after an amendment by Chief Barr COC Egumgbe.

“The motion was adopted and signed by more than 50 participants that included among others, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odo, Engr. Vitta Abba.

“I wonder why my brother and friend, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who was physically present in the caucus meeting and who is a Christian, last Saturday at Solid FM, during Lenten period, told a big lie that there is no zoning in Enugu State.

“For record purposes and to avoid any benefit of doubt, there is written zoning and rotation of governorship position in Enugu State.”

While displaying the document showing the resolution at the said 2013 meeting and the signatories, the leaders called on “all peace loving citizens of Enugu West Senatorial zone and indeed Enugu State to disregard these lies perpetrated by my brother and friend Senator Ike Ekweremadu since the zoning and rotation of governorship seat and other positions in Enugu State have brought enormous peace and progress in the State.

“I urge my brother and Senator, Ike Ekweremadu to maintain his 2013 commitment in support of a rotational zoning arrangement so as to ensure continuous peace in our dear State.”

On whether Enugu West was being marginalized as declared by Senator Ekweremadu, Ndu said the lawmaker should not do a u-turn because of his interest, stressing “he was at the caucus meeting and signed the document, he didn’t raise any issue of marginalization then. So, whatever he is saying now is medicine after death.”

He, however, expressed optimism that Senator Ekweremadu would see reasons and change his mind.