Compulsory registration of all Mobile phones in Nigeria

NIGERIA: It is now  mandatory for every citizen of Nigerians to register their mobile phone SIM Card or face disconnection. Mobile phone owners are required to register their card with phone providers in designated NCC or SIMS registration areas nationwide. Today is the last day for registration.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is the independent National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria. The Commission is responsible for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.


The NCC website states that their "mission is to support a market driven telecommunications industry and promote universal access." They calim this will be "achieved through the consistent enforcement of clear and fair policies that protect stakeholders, ensure efficient resource management, share industry best practices and deliver affordable, quality telecom services."

The websites also states that the "essence of SIM Card Registeration is to know the identity of all users as obtained in other parts of the world. It will facilitate the efforts to build a National Identity register to the pride of all Nigerians."

"SIM card registration will assist the nation to improve the security of lives and properties. It will help in the arrest of all types of criminals who use mobile pones to operate and our society will become more safe. It will enable the provision of other telecom value added services like number portability and Mobile banking. "

Nigeria has a population of about 155 million people and a high rate of criminality, a new registration system may be the way out of excess lawlessness as the government will have access to the identities of all users enabling offenders to be tracked down.

There has also been ongoing talks between Nigeria, UK and USA about the threat of Al-qaeda in sub-saharan Africa. The US in particular has set out rules and measures which Nigeria must take in order to qualify for international aid and support.

All countries around the world have now agreed to be part of an internationally acceptable digital passport system for all citizens. Citizens of countries who fail to comply will be denied  visas and air flight tickets.

To register, Nigerians are required to provide a passport, Driver's License, National Identity Card, a letter from a community leader or Corporate Card and a finger print.