Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Nigerian Communications Commission to extend the waiting period before inactive phone numbers are reassigned to new users to one year and six months.
The lawmakers said the move would strengthen compliance with
the Data Protection Act, 2023, and protect Nigerians from fraud, identity
theft, and wrongful criminal allegations linked to reassigned SIM cards.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored
by the member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo
State, Billy Osawaru, during plenary.
Osawaru proposed that the additional six months should allow
for inactive SIM cards due for reallocation to be publicly announced in
national newspapers and reported to the police once or twice annually.
He said the measure would improve transparency and make it
easier to resolve criminal or fraudulent cases arising from SIM card
reassignment.
The Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, provides the legal
framework for safeguarding personal data and establishes the Nigeria Data
Protection Commission to regulate the processing of such information.
Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act also empowers
the NCC to formulate and publish regulations, guidelines, and standards for the
communications industry.
Presenting the motion, Osawaru said, “The House is aware
that the said Nigerian Communications Commission guidelines mandate the network
providers in Nigeria to deactivate and reallocate inactive SIM cards and phone
numbers to new subscribers after a period of 180 days and later one year of
dormancy without the knowledge of the former subscriber, as provided in their
new Telecom Identity Risk Management Policy.
“The House is also aware, as claimed by network providers,
that it is not financially sustainable or profitable for them to retain
inactive SIM cards on their network despite being registered with the initial
subscribers’ data;
“We are worried that many innocent Nigerians and other
nationals have been embarrassed, humiliated and extorted, over false
allegations resulting from reallocation of SIM cards or phone numbers used to
commit a crime by the previous user.
“We are concerned that if not strictly guided and checked,
reallocation of SIM cards or phone numbers to new subscribers could lead to
data breaches, identity theft and financial fraud, especially when the numbers
are still linked to the previous owner’s sensitive information, such as Bank
Verification Number and National Identity Number.”
The motion received overwhelming support from lawmakers and
was adopted without opposition.
Following its passage, the House mandated its Committees on
Communications and Commerce to work with the NCC, the Nigeria Data Protection
Commission, and other relevant agencies to ensure stronger safeguards for
telecom subscribers.
The committees are expected to report back within four weeks
for further legislative action.
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