NCC: Banks, Telcos to Verify Nigerians Phone Numbers Before Service Access; Recycled, Swapped SIMs Risk Deactivation
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a telecoms identity risk management system (TIRMS) that will allow banks and telecommunications operators to verify phone numbers before granting access to services.
The commission said the platform is aimed at tackling fraud linked to mobile numbers and strengthening digital security across sectors.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ consultative forum in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the system provides a unified framework for managing risks associated with mobile numbers.
He noted that mobile phone numbers, also known as MSISDNs, have become critical identifiers for financial transactions, digital authentication, and access to essential services, but are increasingly vulnerable to misuse.
“The fraudulent use of churned, recycled, swapped, and barred MSISDNs has become a significant vector for financial fraud and identity theft,” Maida said.
According to him, the TIRMS platform will enable service providers including banks and telecom operators to verify mobile numbers flagged for suspicious or fraudulent activity before granting access to services.
He added that the system is expected to improve accountability and strengthen trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The NCC also said it has proposed amendments to existing regulations to support the platform, including a requirement for telecom operators to notify subscribers at least 14 days before deactivating their lines.
Operators will also be mandated to submit details of churned numbers to the TIRMS platform within seven days, while a new framework will be introduced to block fraudulently registered SIM cards.
Maida said the initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance collaboration among telecom operators, financial institutions, security agencies, and regulators.
However, MTN Nigeria raised concerns that the proposed platform could duplicate existing solutions without addressing low adoption by financial institutions.
According to Anthonia Adaba, a SIM swap and recycling notification system already exists through collaboration between the NCC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), but uptake has remained limited.
She said without mandatory participation, the new platform may face similar challenges.
Adaba also raised concerns over the proposed 14-day notification timeline, noting that reliance on alternative channels such as email may be ineffective due to incomplete or outdated customer data.
She recommended prioritising notifications to the primary mobile number, while treating other channels as a secondary option, and called for clearer rules on reclaiming unused airtime after line deactivation.
The NCC said it will consider stakeholders’ feedback in its final review of the proposed regulations.
NCC: Banks, Telcos to Verify Nigerians Phone Numbers Before Service Access; Recycled, Swapped SIMs Risk Deactivation
Byadmin
Mar 27, 2026