The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has clarified that unused phone numbers in the country are returned to the federal government and later reassigned to new users after a specified period.
Speaking with Nigerian Info, ALTON chairman Gbenga Adebayo explained that telephone numbers are not owned by subscribers but are privileges allocated under regulatory oversight. He stated that when a number remains unused for a period defined by law, telecom operators are required to withdraw and return it to the regulator. Such numbers undergo a cooling period before being reissued to another subscriber, in line with existing telecommunications regulations.
What This Means for New Subscribers
Adebayo noted that once a number is reassigned, it becomes the new user's identity for communication purposes. He explained that contacts linked to the previous owner may still attempt to reach the number, especially if it has been saved or shared widely before reassignment. However, he assured subscribers that individuals who receive recycled numbers are not responsible for any activities carried out by previous users. A subscriber's obligations on a line begin only from the time the number is officially assigned to them.
NCC Moves to Curb Phone Number-Linked Fraud
Nigeria's telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), recently stepped up efforts to combat rising digital fraud with a new directive targeting suspicious phone numbers. Under the proposed framework, telecom operators such as MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria will be required to identify and flag high-risk phone numbers in real time. The move is designed to close loopholes exploited by fraudsters and strengthen trust in Nigeria's fast-growing digital ecosystem. At the heart of this initiative is the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), a centralized platform that will monitor and verify the risk status of mobile numbers across multiple sectors.
NCC Orders MTN, Airtel to Compensate Nigerians
Legit.ng earlier reported that the NCC has directed telecom operators to compensate subscribers for poor network service with airtime credits. The decision follows verified failures by operators to meet quality of service standards, as subscribers will receive notifications. The commission has strengthened monitoring systems and warned of sanctions for non-compliance. The NCC boss noted that the framework uses detailed monitoring at the local government level to identify specific areas and periods of poor network performance. This approach allows the commission to focus on measurable, location-based service failures rather than general complaints.
