Network providers across the different telecommunications networks in Lagos have revealed that they are yet to get approval to resume registration of new Subscriber Identification Module (SIM). This follows the federal government’s announcement that telecom operators can resume the registration of new SIM cards to subscribers.

According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the telecom operators disclosed this in separate interviews on Friday in Lagos.

The reports state that no SIM registration was done in some of the network providers’ customer service outlets that were visited, as most subscribers who requested for new SIM were turned down.

Some officials of the different network stores who wished to remain anonymous said they were yet to get approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to roll out sales of new SIM cards.

They said, “We are aware of the lift in ban of new SIM cards but we have not been given the official ‘green light to go ahead. We still await instructions from the authorities on that issue and that is what we tell our subscribers when they request for it.

We want to follow due process so that we are not held responsible for any SIM card sales, hence we only retrieve old SIMs that were lost with proof of ownership and of course the NIN identification.”

While speaking, some of the subscribers said that they needed new SIMs for their wards, businesses and other needs and hope that the government will quickly give the network providers the permission to start the reissuing of the new SIM.

• It can be recalled that in December 2020, the federal government suspended the registration of new SIM cards.
• The suspension was, however, lifted by the federal government with effect from April 19, as the telecom operators were given a go-ahead to start registration of new SIM cards for subscribers.
• The NCC on Thursday arrested about 5 suspected individuals for allegedly engaging in fraudulent registering and sale of SIM cards.