NCC Proposes 14-Day Notice Before SIM Deactivation for Inactive Subscribers
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a significant regulatory proposal that would require telecommunications operators to provide subscribers with at least 14 days' notice before deactivating their SIM cards due to inactivity or post-paid churn. This proposed amendment to the Quality-of-Service (QoS) Business Rules represents a major shift in consumer protection within Nigeria's telecom sector.
New Notification Requirements for All Subscribers
According to the consultation paper titled "Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform," which was published on February 26, 2026, telecom operators must notify affected subscribers through alternative communication channels before disconnecting their lines. The document, signed by NCC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Aminu Maida, specifies that operators must send notifications via alternative phone lines or email addresses at least 14 days before the final churn date.
For post-paid subscribers: The proposed rules state that "before churning a post-paid line, the Operator shall send a notification to the affected subscriber through an alternative line or an email on the pending churning of his line."
For prepaid subscribers: Similar requirements apply, with operators mandated to notify prepaid users via alternative lines or email ahead of deactivation, with the same 14-day notice period.
Current Deactivation Rules and Grace Period
Under the existing provisions in Section 2.3.1 of the QoS Business Rules, a subscriber's line may be deactivated if it has not recorded a Revenue Generating Event within six months. If the inactivity continues for another six months, the subscriber may permanently lose the number, except in cases linked to network-related faults. The new proposal adds the notification requirement to this existing framework, providing subscribers with additional time to take action before losing their numbers.
Telecoms Identity Risk Management System Integration
Beyond the notification requirements, the NCC has proposed that telecom operators must submit churn data to the new Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) within seven days after completing the churn process. This requirement is part of a broader regulatory review connected to the rollout of TIRMS, a cross-sector platform designed to reduce fraud associated with recycled, swapped, or barred mobile numbers.
The commission describes TIRMS as a secure, regulator-backed platform aimed at preventing fraud linked to churned, swapped, and barred Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Numbers (MSISDNs) in Nigeria. The system is expected to establish a uniform framework for maintaining the integrity and use of registered MSISDNs across the country's communications network.
Stakeholder Consultation Process
The consultation process, which the NCC says aligns with Section 58 of the Nigerian Communications Act, will remain open for 21 days from the date of publication. Stakeholders are required to submit their comments on or before March 20, 2026. This participatory approach allows industry players, consumer groups, and other interested parties to provide input on the proposed regulatory changes before final implementation.
Broader Regulatory Context
These proposed amendments come as the NCC continues to enhance consumer protection measures within Nigeria's telecommunications sector. The commission recently launched a competition review following increases in telecommunication tariffs to assess whether these price adjustments have led to improved service delivery for consumers. That review, conducted through stakeholder workshops in January, focuses on how market structure, competition levels, and operators' conduct affect consumer experience in both voice and data segments of the industry.
The proposed 14-day notification requirement represents a significant step toward greater transparency and consumer empowerment in Nigeria's telecom sector, potentially affecting millions of subscribers across the country.
