• The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has banned Nigerians under the age of 18 from purchasing SIM cards.
• The policy would aim to protect minors from liabilities related to the use of SIM cards.
• The commission adjusted its telecommunications policies to combat growing security threats in Nigeria

Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada reported on technology, energy, stocks, investing and economy for over a decade.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has banned Nigerians under the age of 18 from purchasing SIM cards.

Reportedly, this policy aims to protect minors from liabilities arising from the use of SIM cards.

NCC adjusts its telecommunications policies

The report quotes a senior NCC official as saying that parents and guardians can acquire SIMS in their names for their children and wards and assume responsibilities related to the use of these SIM cards.

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Premium Times reported that the aim is to protect minors and strengthen national security.

The commission has adjusted its telecommunications policies to combat growing security threats in Nigeria. The age of consent in Nigeria is constitutionally set at 18 years.

New policy makes parents responsible

The commission held that the acquisition of SIM cards is a binding contract between service providers and subscribers, requiring the subscriber to have legal status, be of mature mind and sufficiently rationed to assume the responsibilities, obligations and specific obligations imposed by such contracts.

In 2021, the commission proposed regulations for telecommunications subscriber registration, suggesting banning minors from owning SIM cards.

According to the report, the NCC official said the policy would make parents responsible for monitoring minors’ cellphone use.

Mobile telecommunications subscribers are decreasing

Recent data showed that mobile subscriptions in Nigeria increased from 219 million in March 2024 to 153 million in September 2024.

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The decline was attributed to the deactivation of SIM cards not linked to the National Identification Number (NIN).

The commission reportedly attributed the reason to a discrepancy in the data submitted by telecom operators.

This development comes as MTN Nigeria introduced paper SIM cards achieve net zero emissions by 2040, in line with its Project Zero goals.

The company revealed that paper-based SIM cards are environmentally safe as they support product management throughout their lifecycle, promoting circularity and reducing waste.

MTN threatens to close its offices in Nigeria

Legitime.ng previously reported that MTN Nigeria stressed the critical importance of returning the telecommunications industry to profitability to remain sustainable.

MTN CEO, Karl Toriola, disclosed this on Monday, October 21, 2024, during a visit by Media Innovation Program fellows to the MTN facility in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

THE MTN The CEO identified the sector’s recent significant losses and said rapid action was needed to reverse the trend.

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Reviewed by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng