NCC Proposes 14-Day Notice Before SIM Deactivation

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a new rule requiring telecom operators to issue a minimum of 14 days’ notice before deactivating subscribers’ SIM cards due to inactivity or postpaid churn.

The proposal is part of wider regulatory reforms linked to the rollout of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS). It is contained in a consultation paper titled Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform, dated February 2026.

What the proposal says

Under the proposed amendment to the Quality of Service (QoS) Business Rules, operators must notify postpaid subscribers before churning their lines. The notice must be sent through an alternative line or email at least 14 days before the final churn date.

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A similar provision applies to prepaid subscribers. Operators are required to notify affected customers at least 14 days before deactivation of their numbers.

Currently, Section 2.3.1 of the QoS Business Rules permits deactivation of a subscriber line if it has not recorded a Revenue Generating Event within six months. If the inactivity continues for another six months, the subscriber may permanently lose the number, except where inactivity is caused by network-related faults.

While the proposed amendment does not change the six-month inactivity threshold, it introduces a mandatory advance notification requirement, strengthening consumer protection measures.

Reporting obligations tightened

Beyond customer notification, the Commission is also seeking to enhance data reporting requirements. A proposed amendment to Section 2.3.2 mandates that operators submit details of all churned numbers to TIRMS within seven days of completing the churn process.

The TIRMS platform is described as a secure, regulatory-backed system designed to curb fraud associated with churned, swapped, barred, or recycled Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Numbers (MSISDNs) in Nigeria.

According to the consultation document, the system will create a uniform, cross-sector framework for verifying the status and integrity of mobile numbers across the country’s communications network. It is also expected to support regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, in addressing identity-related fraud risks linked to dormant and recycled SIM cards.

Consultation timeline

The consultation process was initiated in line with Section 58 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and will remain open for 21 days from the date of publication. Stakeholders are expected to submit their comments on or before March 20, 2026.

The document was dated February 26, 2026, and signed by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Aminu Maida.

If approved, the proposed changes would formalise advance notification before SIM churn and expand cross-sector data sharing efforts aimed at reducing fraud linked to mobile number recycling.