The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a new regulatory measure requiring mobile network operators (MNOs) to give telecoms subscribers a minimum of 14 days before deactivating their SIM cards due to inactivity or post-paid churn.
The commission’s proposal was spelt out in a consultation paper titled “Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform” and published on the NCC website.
Under the proposed amendments to the Quality-of-Service (QoS) Business Rules, the Commission stated that prior to churning a post-paid line, MNOs must notify affected subscribers at least 14 days through an alternative phone number or email address on the impending deactivation of their lines.
Similarly, the proposal states that for prepaid subscribers, the operators should notify affected customers via an alternative line or email, with the same minimum 14-day notice period before the number is churned.
At the moment, Section 2.3.1 of the QoS Business Rules provides that a subscriber’s line may be deactivated if it has not been used for a Revenue Generating Event within six months, and that if the inactivity continues for an additional six months, the subscriber could the number entirely, except in cases involving network-related faults.
On addition to the notification requirement, NCC proposes that MNOs must submit churn-related data to the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) by forwarding details of all churned numbers to TIRMS within seven days of completing the churn process.
The proposed amendments by the commission are part of a broader regulatory framework linked to the rollout of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System, a secure, cross-sector platform designed to curb fraud associated with recycled, swapped, and barred Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Numbers (MSISDNs).
The NCC stated that TIRMS will provide a uniform and regulatory-backed approach to safeguarding the integrity and utilisation of registered mobile numbers across communications networks in the country.
The NCC clarifies that consultation document on the proposals dated February 26, 2026, and signed by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), Dr. Aminu Maida, is in line with Section 58 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, and will remain open for 21 days from the date of publication.
