NCC Moves to Introduce 14-Day Mandatory Notice Before SIM Deactivation

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released a new proposal that could change how mobile numbers are managed in the country. The draft rules suggest that telecom operators must give customers at least 14 days’ notice before deactivating a SIM card. Although the industry already has guidelines for unused numbers, the Commission says the latest plan will improve clarity and reduce avoidable losses for millions of users.

The proposal is included in a consultation paper published in February 2026. It forms part of a broader review linked to the rollout of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System, known as TIRMS. This new platform aims to curb fraud involving recycled or swapped numbers, an issue that has grown with Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

Why the NCC Wants Longer Notice Periods

According to the consultation paper, operators will need to alert both prepaid and post-paid customers before any SIM is churned. The Commission states that operators must send messages through an alternative number or email. It stresses that the notice must come at least 14 days before the number is finally removed from circulation.

These changes follow existing Quality-of-Service Business Rules, which allow operators to deactivate a number after six months of non-use. Another six months of inactivity could lead to permanent loss of the number. Yet the Commission says a clearer notification process is necessary, especially as mobile numbers are now tightly linked to banking, identity verification and digital services.

As part of the plan, operators must also send churn data to the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System within seven days. The platform, the Commission explains, will provide a uniform approach to managing mobile identities across sectors. It is designed to reduce fraud tied to churned, barred or swapped MSISDNs, which have caused rising concern across banking and telecom networks.

A Broader Push for Stronger Identity Protection

The Commission notes that TIRMS is a secure, regulatory-backed tool that will help protect subscribers and institutions from threats linked to recycled numbers. It says the system will support banks, fintechs, insurers and other organisations that depend heavily on accurate telecom data to verify customers.

The consultation process runs for 21 days from its publication date. Stakeholders have until March 20, 2026, to submit comments. The document was issued on 26 February 2026 and signed by the Commission’s Chief Executive, Dr Aminu Maida.