NCC Mandates 14-Day Notice for SIM Deactivation by Telcos

Telecommunications companies in Nigeria are now obligated to inform their subscribers at least 14 days in advance before deactivating their SIM cards, whether due to inactivity or because of churn associated with post-paid services.

This regulation was revealed through a recent proposal put forth by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The details are outlined in a consultation paper authorized by Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC. This paper, titled "Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform," was dated February 26, 2026, and publicly available on the Commission’s official website.

As part of the proposed changes to the Quality-of-Service (QoS) Business Rules, the Commission stated that telecommunications operators are required to inform affected subscribers prior to any planned churn.

"Before a post-paid line is deactivated, the operator must send a notification to the subscriber through an alternative contact method or email regarding the impending churn of their line," the document specifies.

Furthermore, it stipulates that "this notification must be sent at least 14 days prior to the scheduled churn date."

A similar notification requirement is also suggested for prepaid customers. The Commission emphasizes that operators must notify prepaid users through an alternative line or email at minimum 14 days before the churn takes effect.

Currently, according to Section 2.3.1 of the QoS Business Rules, any subscriber’s line may be suspended if it remains inactive for a period of six months due to non-revenue generating events. If the inactivity extends for another six months, the subscriber risks losing their number permanently, barring scenarios involving proven network issues.

This new initiative is part of an extensive regulatory review linked to the implementation of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), which is a cross-sector platform aimed at mitigating fraud associated with recycled, swapped, and barred mobile numbers.

The NCC has clarified in the background information of the consultation paper that TIRMS is a secure, regulation-supported platform developed to prevent fraud resulting from churned, swapped, and barred Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Numbers across Nigeria.

According to the Commission, "this platform will deliver a standard approach for all sectors regarding the integrity and use of registered MSISDNs within the Nigerian Communications network."

In addition to the 14-day advance notice requirement, the Commission has also suggested that telecom operators are to provide details of all churned numbers to TIRMS within seven days after completing the churn process, thereby enhancing oversight and accountability in the sector.

The consultation period, which the Commission noted complies with Section 58 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, is open for 21 days following the publication date. Stakeholders are encouraged to share their feedback before March 20, 2026.