Nigeria’s lawmakers are pushing for stricter telecom regulations as concerns mount over identity theft and fraud linked to recycled phone numbers. The House of Representatives of Nigeria has proposed extending the waiting period before inactive SIM cards are reassigned from 12 months to 18 months.
The resolution, adopted during plenary, directs the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to revise its current guidelines. Lawmakers argue that the additional six months would allow for better data cleansing and public notification before dormant numbers are reissued to new users.
The motion, sponsored by Billy Osawaru, reflects growing anxiety over the unintended consequences of SIM recycling. He warned that Nigerians have faced harassment, extortion, and even wrongful criminal accusations due to numbers previously used for illicit activities being reassigned without adequate safeguards.
At the heart of the proposal is compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. Lawmakers believe extending the recycling window will reduce the risk of sensitive data—such as Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identification Numbers (NIN), remaining tied to old phone numbers.
The House also recommended that telecom operators publish lists of inactive numbers in national newspapers and notify law enforcement agencies periodically before reassignment. This added transparency, proponents say, could help prevent misuse and give former owners a final opportunity to reclaim their lines.
Despite existing NCC guidelines requiring that recycled SIMs be fully detached from previous user data, real-world gaps persist. Many Nigerians continue to report receiving calls, messages, and even financial alerts intended for prior owners, highlighting systemic weaknesses in enforcement.
To address these risks, the House has tasked its Committees on Communications and Commerce to collaborate with the NCC, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, and other stakeholders. They are expected to deliver a framework for stronger consumer protections within four weeks.
The proposal also aligns with broader efforts such as the Telecoms Industry Risk Management System (TIRMS), an NCC-backed initiative designed to combat electronic fraud through better data integration across the telecom ecosystem.
If implemented, the extended waiting period could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s telecom policy, prioritizing user protection in an increasingly digital economy where a single phone number is often tied to banking, identity, and personal security.
