The Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim has shared why he commanded the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC to make sure every mobile network operator block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration standards until users comply with the right reregistration procedures due to their security risk.
The command, he said was a backup to his earlier directive to all Agencies and Parastatals in the ministry when he resumed office, which resulted in the submission of NCC’s baseline short-term performance targets report to the minister.
Revealing recently in an urgent statement, The Commission said that an estimated nine million two hundred thousand (9.2M) SIM cards failed to do as it commanded.
The statement read, “In line with the directives of the Minister of Communications Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FNCS FBCS MCPN on assumption of office to all Agencies and Parastatals under his purview, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has submitted its baseline short-term performance targets report.
“The report Signed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission contained precise figures of improperly registered SIM cards in use around the country.
“The Commission in its report disclosed that an estimated nine million two hundred thousand (9.2M) SIM cards did not comply with the proper procedures of SIM registration.
“The investigation which was carried out at the behest of the minister, has exposed for the first time in the Telecomms history of Nigeria, in precise detail, the magnitude of defaulters.
“To ensure maximum compliance, Dr Pantami, has directed NCC to ensure all mobile network operators block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration standards until users comply with proper reregistration procedures.
“The security implication of this irregularity is too grave to ignore and the Federal Ministry of Communications will not tolerate any actions or inactions that will compromise the nation’s security.”
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