MTN Nigeria disconnected numerous subscribers due to failure in linking their SIM cards with National Identity Numbers (NINs) and other reasons, causing widespread anger.
Earlier this year, MTN said it disconnected 4.2 million lines following the expiration of the February 28 deadline to link their SIM with NIN.
The company disclosed in a report that 19 million lines on its network are currently being verified, and 4.3 million have been verified as of February 2024.
Nigerians on the social media platform X are expressing their frustration about MTN disconnecting their SIM cards, even after they claim to have linked them.
This action is a result of a directive across the industry that mandates network operators to block users whose phone numbers are not linked to their National Identification Number.
An affected subscriber, Olajide, informed TAM that when he tried to use his number earlier in the day, he received a voice prompt stating that his line had been barred due to failure to link it to his NIN. He was also advised to visit the nearest MTN office to reconnect his line.
This reflects the experience of many other subscribers who have taken particularly to social media platform, X to complain. Many users indicated that they noticed the action in the early hours of this morning. Most of them claimed that they had completed the linkage exercise in the past with pieces of evidence.
Recall that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) moved the deadline it set for disconnection of lines that have not complied with the directive to July 31, 2024.
The NCC said it would give telecommunications consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified.
Reacting to the disconnection, A.O. Yusuf of Sokoto an MTN subscriber with the handle, @DEGEO7, said “My MTN line which is my official line has been barred. I have long linked my NIN so, is there something I don’t know?”
Another MTN customer, Rabiu Abdulkadir expressed his frustration via his X handle, @Rerbiu.
Abdulkadir said, “We deserve to be treated with respect and dignity in this country. I’m extremely disappointed that my MTN line, which I’ve used faithfully for over 10 years, was suddenly barred this morning without any prior notification. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve linked it to my NIN.”
Rita, an MTN subscriber with X handle, @Ritzy792 said, “@MTNNG barred my MTN line of over 16 years this morning when in fact, my line is linked to my NIN.”
Maxwell Ewedoma with X handle, @ewedomamaxwell lamented, “How many times am I supposed to link my MTN with my NIN? I tried using USSD to subscribe for data and was told to link my NIN with my line.”
Some subscribers are alleging (maybe hoping) that this is possibly a technical hitch from the network provider’s system that will fixed anytime soon. “I believe that is a temporary issue that will be fixed soon”, Judy A said on X.
On the contrary, some subscribers are suggesting that this might be the cause for a switch to another network service provider. “Seeing My MTN trending with complains of users that they have been bared/blocked . For whatever reason it could be, It is their loss”, @_realkingsley said on X.
MTN is yet to issue an official statement on the development.