NIN-SIM: How to retrieve your barred mobile phone lines

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that the over 40 million telephone SIMs barred after failing to link to the National Identity Numbers face the risk of being forfeited soon.

Reunen Mouka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking in an online interview.

According to Mouka, the telephone lines barred by their telecommunication operators have breached the February 28, 2024, deadline issued by the commission mandating telecom customers to link their Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) to their NIN.

He said, “If the barred lines are not acted upon in the next 180 days, They won’t be able to receive calls but will only be able to text and make calls. But after the stipulated days, they would be barred from making calls too, and they might forfeit their lines to their respective service provider within 365 days.”

However, to unbar your phone lines, Chronicle NG highlights the processes of the retrieval as explained by the NCC’s Director of Publicity.

1. Subscribers who have not yet registered for their NIN should register their SIM cards at certified facilities across the country.

2. Next, connect the NIN to your SIM using the channels given by your service provider.

3. For subscribers with registered NINs, simply visit your service provider centre and present the NIN, or connect your SIM via the channels given by your service provider.

4. SIM-NIN linkage: Blocked lines reach 40 million. However, if you have an NIN but have forgotten it, you can easily get it by calling *346# on your mobile phone.

5. If you are using the same phone number you enrolled with for your NIN, select “NIN Retrieval” and enter ‘1’ from the alternatives provided.

6. Follow the instructions on your screen and enter the relevant information.

7. Keep in mind that using this service will only cost you N20 (deducted from your phone’s airtime balance).

However, the four mobile network operators in the country have assigned specific USSD codes for seamless and speedy linking of your NIN and SIM cards. They are as follows:.

For MTN customers, Dial *785# from the phone number you want to link, then enter your NIN and submit. Alternatively, dial *785*Your NIN# from that phone number. The number will be associated with your NIN immediately.

Glo Customers should simply send “UPDATENIN NIN FirstName and LastName” to 109. For Airtel customers, just dial *121*1# now to link, while 9Mobile customers are to dial *200*8# and follow the prompts on your phone screen.