Ibrahim Pantami (Hon. Minister, FMoCDE
The Nigerian Government has remove the temporary ban of purchasing and activation of new sim cards, to end the embargo that has lasted for almost five months.
Starting from the 19th of April, 2021 Nigerians can be able to buy and register new sim cards from telecom companies operating in Nigerian. And also people that would love to retrieve and activate their sim cards can also do so. This announcement came from the statement by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, released in the early hours of Thursday the 16th, April 2021. The selling of new sim card and other activities that were suspended will resume on the same date, according to the statement.
Recall that on the 9th of December 2020, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Communication & Digital Economy, ordered all the telecom giants operating with the shores of Nigeria, not to sell new sim cards to customers so as to allow the Federal Government do another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.
This embargo has affected Nigerians, especially those that came back from other countries and even foreigners as it was difficult for them to make phone calls and use the internet. The statement also used the opportunity to remind consumers that NIN (National Identity Number) is still a compulsory requirement for the registration and activation of their sim cards.
