NCC Prohibits Under-18s from Acquiring SIM Cards to Protect Minors
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has implemented a new policy that bars individuals under the age of 18 from obtaining Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.
According to sources within the commission, this initiative aims to “protect minors” from the potential liabilities associated with SIM card usage. A senior NCC official stated that parents and guardians are allowed to purchase SIM cards in their own names for their children, thereby assuming any responsibilities linked to their use.
This regulation is part of broader efforts by the NCC to enhance national security and safeguard young people. The commission has been revising its telecommunications policies to address security challenges in Nigeria.
Under Nigerian law, 18 years is considered the age of consent, and the NCC views the acquisition of a SIM card as a contractual agreement that requires the subscriber to possess legal capacity and maturity to handle the associated responsibilities.
The ban was first proposed in 2021 as part of the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations and is now officially in effect. Officials indicated that this policy places a greater responsibility on parents to oversee their children’s mobile usage.
In related news, Nigeria has seen a notable decline in mobile subscriptions, dropping from 219 million in March to 153 million by September. This reduction has been attributed to the removal of SIMs not linked to verified National Identification Numbers (NIN) and discrepancies reported by mobile network operators. One operator allegedly overstated its active subscriber count by approximately 40 million, despite lacking revenue-generating activity over a 90-day span, violating the NCC’s guidelines.
