Reps demand extension of SIM re-allocation period over fraud, identity theft

The House of Representatives has asked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the period before inactive SIM cards and phone numbers are reallocated to new users from 180 days to 18 months, citing concerns over identity theft, and finacial fraud.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Billy Osawaru, Lawmaker representing Edo state during plenary on Tuesday.

The House said the current framework, which allows telecom operators to deactivate and reassign dormant SIM cards after 180 days and in some cases up to one year, poses serious risks to personal data security, particularly where numbers remain linked to sensitive identifiers such as Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identity Numbers (NIN).

The Hosue expressed worry that many innocent Nigerians and other Nationals have been embarrassed, humiliated and extorted, over false allegations resulted from re-allocation of SIM cards or phone numbers used to commit a crime by the previous users.

It also noted that the Data Protection Act 2023 provides a legal framework for safeguarding personal information and establishes the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to regulate the processing of personal data, while Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act empowers the NCC to issue regulations guiding the industry.

The House further observed that the NCC’s Telecom Identity Risk Management Policy allows network operators to deactivate and recycle inactive SIM cards after a defined dormancy period, a policy operators defend as necessary for operational and financial sustainability.

However, lawmakers expressed concern that commercial considerations should not override subscriber protection, warning that improperly managed SIM recycling could expose Nigerians to data breaches, financial fraud, and identity theft, especially where recycled numbers remain tied to banking and identity verification systems.

The House therefore resolved to urge the NCC to extend the SIM reallocation period to 18 months, while introducing a six-month public notification window during which inactive numbers would be published in national newspapers and copied to security agencies, including the police, to enhance transparency and aid investigations.

It also mandated its Committees on Communications and Commerce to engage the NCC, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, and other relevant agencies to review the policy framework and ensure stronger safeguards for mobile subscribers, with a report expected within four weeks for further legislative action.