The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has refuted claims that the recent disconnection of subscribers’ lines by telecom companies is connected to the upcoming national protest.
On Saturday, telecom companies began disconnecting phone lines not linked to National Identification Numbers (NINs). Observations showed large crowds at MTN Nigeria offices across the country on Monday, addressing blocked lines.
The line restrictions coincide with a planned nationwide protest set for August 1. However, ALTON, in a statement signed by its president, Gbenga Adebayo, stated there is “absolutely no connection” between the line barring and the protest.
The disconnections align with the July 31 deadline from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for telcos to block all subscribers whose NINs are not linked to their phone lines. The ongoing harmonization of the SIM registration database with the national identity database aims to enhance the integrity of the National SIM registration database. Customers experiencing blocked lines are those with mismatched records between the two databases. ALTON advises these customers to contact their service providers through the provided channels for resolution.
How to Unblock Your Line on Any Network
ALTON outlined the steps to unblock lines:
1. Airtel: Dial *121# and enter your eleven-digit NIN. You will receive a confirmation message.
2. 9Mobile: Dial *200*8#.
3. Glo: Dial *109* followed by your NIN number. For example, if your NIN is 12345678901, dial *109*12345678901# and follow the prompts.
4. MTN: Visit [nin.mtn.ng](https://nin.mtn.ng) to check your NIN status and link it if necessary. An OTP will be requested during the process.
5. Smile: Send your valid NIN to customercare@smile.com.ng or call 07020444444. Provide consent for verification and unbarring.
6. Spectranet: Call toll-free at 8002345678, email care@spectranet.com.ng, or visit the Spectranet website. Complete KYC at a Spectranet store.
7. Ntel: Visit any Ntel store with your NIN. Your fingerprint will be used to verify your existing KYC profile, and the line will be updated and unbarred.
If online steps fail, subscribers can visit any operator’s walk-in centers to unblock their lines.
