The Federal government has ordered all mobile telecommunication operators in the country to temporarily halt the sale and registration of new SIM cards.
The directive applies to all mobile operators including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat.
The directive was contained in a statement by the communications ministry.
According to the Ministry, the action is in line with its efforts to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.
The full statement reads: “In line with the Federal Government desire to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database again.
“The objective of the audit exercise is to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with the set quality standards and requirements of SIM Card Registration as issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Commission.
“Accordingly, MNOs are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM Cards until the audit exercise is concluded, and Government has conveyed the new direction.”
The Ministry, however, noted that where it is absolutely necessary, exemption may be granted in writing by the Commission following approval from the Federal Government.
It also urged all the telecoms firms to ensure strict compliance, warning them of possibilities of withdrawal of operating license, If contravened.
