SIM Purchase: NCC Rejects Stakeholders’ Request for Downward Revision of Age Limit

Pat Stevens/

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has rejected an appeal by stakeholders to revise the age limit for registering and owning a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) from 18 to 14.

The position of the stakeholders was made known during a public inquiry at the commission’s head office in Abuja yesterday.

The public inquiry on the “Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, alongside the draft SIM Replacement Guidelines and the draft Spectrum Trading Guidelines” was conducted by commission in accordance with Section 57 of the Nigerian Communications Act.

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

MTN specifically requested the commission to make the age limit 14 years and above.

NCC, however, insisted on 18 years and above for anyone who wants to own and register a SIM in Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders’ Management, Mr Adeleke Adewolu, noted that “the public inquiry is an avenue that enables the commission develop and review its regulatory instruments by incorporating the comments and suggestions of industry stakeholders”.

The draft copy of the modified Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations published on the commission’s website limited telecoms subscribers to only anyone above the age of 18.

According to the draft, a“‘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”.

According to NCC, the regulations were made in line with the powers conferred upon it by section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act,2003.

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