The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed that telecom operators must give subscribers a minimum of 14 days’ notice before deactivating their SIM cards due to inactivity or post-paid churn. The proposal is outlined in a consultation paper titled Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform, dated February 26, 2026.
Under the proposed amendments to the Quality-of-Service (QoS) Business Rules, operators are required to notify affected subscribers via an alternative line or email at least 14 days before their number is deactivated. This applies to both post-paid and prepaid customers.
Currently, a line may be deactivated if unused for six months, with the number at risk after an additional six months of inactivity, except in cases of network faults. The new proposal is part of the broader rollout of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), a platform designed to curb fraud linked to recycled, swapped, or barred mobile numbers.
The NCC also proposed that operators submit details of all churned numbers to TIRMS within seven days of completion, strengthening regulatory oversight and accountability. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments on the consultation within 21 days, by March 20, 2026.
