NCC Moves to Mandate 14-Day Notice Before Telcos Disconnect Inactive SIMs
The NCC proposes 14-day notice before telcos deactivate dormant SIMs move by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to significantly reshape how mobile network operators manage inactive SIM cards across Nigeria’s telecom ecosystem, striking a balance between consumer protection and fraud mitigation, according to multiple Nigeria news outlets.
In a bold regulatory shift published in February 2026, the NCC has proposed that all telecommunications companies operating in the country must notify subscribers at least 14 days in advance before deactivating or “churning” dormant SIM cards due to inactivity or postpaid churn.
The proposal, detailed in a consultation paper titled Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform, seeks to amend the current Quality-of-Service (QoS) Business Rules to strengthen communication and transparency between telcos and their customers.
Under the longstanding QoS rules, a SIM line that does not record a revenue-generating event such as calls, SMS, or data activity for six months is eligible for deactivation, and if inactivity persists for another six months, the number can be permanently withdrawn and recycled.
This process often leaves subscribers unaware that they may be losing access to linked services, including bank alerts, two-factor authentication, and critical communication tools.
The proposed amendment does not change the core inactivity thresholds but introduces a mandatory 14-day notification period to empower subscribers with advance warning before any action is taken.
The advance notice requirement is designed to be user-centric. Telecom operators must reach out to affected subscribers via an alternative phone number or email address before the final deactivation date.
This provision is aimed at giving both prepaid and postpaid customers sufficient time to reactivate or retain their numbers, especially where a dormant SIM is linked to financial accounts or digital identity platforms.
This regulatory refinement is part of a broader digital security agenda anchored by the rollout of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS). TIRMS is a cross-sector platform intended to centralize and protect mobile identity data by tracking churned, swapped, or barred mobile numbers across industries.
Once fully operational, the system will allow regulators and service providers including banks, fintech firms, and government agencies to verify the status of mobile numbers in real time, thereby mitigating fraud associated with recycled SIM cards.
Operators will also be required to submit churn details to TIRMS within seven days after deactivation, reinforcing accountability and data integrity.
Industry stakeholders now have a 21-day window from the publication of the consultation paper to provide feedback on the proposed changes before they are codified, as outlined under Section 58 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
If adopted, these changes could mark a pivotal development in Nigeria’s telecom regulatory landscape, offering stronger safeguards for users and enhancing trust in digital identity mechanisms that underpin financial services, e-commerce and security systems.
From a consumer perspective, the 14-day notice rule could reduce unexpected disruptions and protect individuals whose mobile numbers are tied to critical services. For the broader telecom and finance ecosystem, it heralds a more transparent, secure, and accountable framework for managing SIM lifecycle events, in line with evolving global standards for consumer rights and anti-fraud infrastructure.
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