NCC Disqualifies Nigerians Below Age 18 From Registering SIM

NCC has disqualified Nigerians below the age of 18 from registering a SIM.

Glamtush reports that the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has disqualified anyone below the age of 18 from registering and owning a SIM card in Nigeria.

This online platform understands that this is according to the draft copy of the modified Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations published on the commission’s website.

In the modified regulations, NCC limited telecoms subscribers to only include anyone above the age of 18. ‘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 regulations were made in line with the powers conferred upon the commission by section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act,2003. In accordance with Section 57 of the Act, the NCC 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.

During the public inquiry, which was held physically and virtually, key stakeholders, including MTN, urged the commission to revise the age limit. MTN asked the commission to make the age limit 14 years and above. The NCC, however, insisted on 18 years and above for anyone who wants to own and register a SIM in Nigeria.