Featured

NCC worries over fraudulent SIM registrations

Published

6 years ago

April 17, 2019

Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, in March 2011 issued directives to telecom service providers to commence Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards registration nationwide.

A total of N6.1billion approved by the National Assembly was earmarked for the exercise which initially had a six months deadline from the date of commencement.

Subscribers were mandated to provide national identity card, international passport, driver’s licence or authentication letter with passport photograph signed by traditional ruler/community leader in the case of rural dwellers.

Biometric information and digital photograph were also part of subscriber information required in order to ensure proper data capturing and building of reliable data.

The exercise was equally made to be free for all subscribers because of its importance to national security. At the end of the initial deadline, it was discovered that a lot of improperly registered, unregistered and pre-registered SIM cards, characterised the exercise.

Worried by this development, the Commission in 2017 set up a 12-member committee to tackle the problem, and vowed that the menace will no longer be tolerated.

The commission based on the report of the committee fined some operators found to have either deliberately flouted the registration principles or refused to correct their mistakes when informed.

However, even with all these measures and other warnings, the commission says many agents still fraudulently violate the SIM card registration rules, till date, thereby aggravating the security situation in the country. U.S. to work with Nigeria to achieve prosperity – Consul General. Therefore, the Commission recently organised a one-day sensitization workshop on the dangers of using fraudulently activated SIM cards, in Keffi, Nasarawa state.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof Umar Danbatta, who was represented by the director Stakeholder Management, Mr Efosa Idehen, in his opening remarks said the objective of the workshop was to discuss and resolve the challenges leading to non-compliance with the instruments of SIM registration.

He stated that the availability of improperly registered SIMs in any corner of Nigeria is a threat to the security of the country.

He noted that such SIMs aid financial crimes whose victims are mainly hardworking citizens of the country even as they frustrate the activities of law enforcement agencies in trying to apprehend major criminals. Idehen said NCC will try as much as possible to implement the rules that are available to it in dealing with defaulters.

He said: “This issue of getting a Sim card and insisting on registering it immediately was not envisaged.

It was intended to be activated for 30 days, so within that time, a user will have had time to register his or her line. But we found out operators were violating the rules by fully activating the lines. That was why we resorted to having it registered before use” he added.

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Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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