NCC disqualifies underage from owning SIM cards

People who are below 18 years have been disqualified by the Nigerian Communications Commission from owning Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card in Nigeria

This is revealed in the draft copy of the modified Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations published on the commission’s website.

According to NCC, “‘Subscriber’ means a person not below the age of 18 years who subscribes to communications services by purchasing a subscription medium or entering into a subscription contract with a licensee.”

The Licensee refers to ‘a provider of communications services that utilises a subscription medium in the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.

The regulations were made in line with the powers conferred upon the commission by section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act,2003.

Meanwhile, NCC had conducted a Public Inquiry on the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, alongside the draft SIM Replacement Guidelines and the draft Spectrum Trading Guidelines at its head office in Abuja on Tuesday.

NCC’s Executive Commissioner Stakeholders’ Management, Mr Adeleke Adewolu, gave the opening remark at the event.

He said, “The public inquiry is an avenue that enables the commission to develop and review its regulatory instruments by incorporating the comments and suggestions of industry stakeholders.”

During the public inquiry, which was held physically and virtually, key stakeholders, including MTN, urged the commission to revise the age limit.