News
MTN Disconnects 4.2 Million Lines Not Linked To NIN
Published
1 year agoon
By
Editor
Many Subscribers to the MTN network in Nigeria are now stranded as the telecommunications giant disconnected their lines over failure to link their National Identity Numbers to their Subscriber Identification Module cards.
This is coming after several warnings by the Nigerian Communications Commission and the telecoms company that subscribers must link their lines to their NINs.
On Friday, MTN Nigeria reported that over 4.2 million lines were disconnected from its network after the February 28 deadline given by the NCC.
The firm disclosed this in its Earning Report for the year ended December 31, 2023.
It also noted that 19 million lines on its network were currently being verified, adding that 4.3 million had been verified as of February.
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MTN noted, “We also had approximately 4.2 million lines disconnected for which the subscribers did not submit their NIN. Several of these lines were low-value subscribers, minimising the revenue impact.
“We are actively engaging the authorities to accelerate the NIN verification process. We have also increased our engagement with the affected customers, providing various channels for verification to minimise service disruption.”
The disconnected lines are part of an industry-wide directive requiring telecom operators to bar subscribers whose lines have not been linked to their NIN.
The NCC had in December 2023 issued a directive to MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile to fully bar phone lines not linked to subscribers’ NINs by February 28, 2024.
Those who had submitted their NINs but were not verified were also subject to barring.
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For lines with submitted but unverified NINs, the directive mandated barring on or before March 29, 2024, for five or more linked lines.
For less than five linked lines, our correspondent learnt that barring would occur on or before April 15, 2024.
The NCC emphasised the need for biometric and biodata verification before unblocking the affected lines.
Industry sources noted that about 12 million lines across the networks might have been disconnected after the February 28 deadline.
Lamenting the disconnection, a stay-at-home mother in Rivers State, Mrs Comfort Pepple, said she was shocked when she tried to make a call on Thursday but could not as her MTN line had been barred.
She said, “The network on my phone is not even working. I am speaking to you now with my daughter’s phone. I am not even sure anybody can call me.
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“I tried several times to link this SIM to my NIN, but it kept bouncing back, saying I needed to revalidate my NIN. I don’t have the time to go and queue. I am old.”
A resident of the Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, Mama Nampar, lamented her plight to our correspondent using a neighbour’s phone.
The neighbour had shared a video on his WhatsApp status, asking for ways people who had been barred could get their lines back.
“I don’t know what to do. I am expecting some calls that will give me money. I don’t even have a NIN. I am too old to be queuing from place to place. In Qua’an Pan, it is not even free. Some vendors here ask us to pay and I cannot afford it,” she lamented.
She begged the government to extend the deadline to accommodate people like her.
Meanwhile, MTN emphasised its commitment to engaging the authorities to expedite the NIN verification process.
According to the firm, efforts have been intensified to communicate with affected customers, providing various channels for verification to minimise service disruption.
MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Karl Toriola, commenting on the company’s performance in 2023, highlighted the sustained growth in the user base, with over four million subscribers added during the year, bringing the total base to 79.7 million. Data subscribers also increased by over five million to 44.6 million, contributing to a 44.9 per cent growth in total data traffic.
Toriola attributed the robust commercial momentum to the company’s strategic investments in network quality and coverage, adding that the acquisition of the 2600MHz spectrum in September 2023 played a crucial role in efficiently deploying additional capacity to the network.
PUNCH
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News
UNIBEN School of Dentistry Holds Free Oral Health Outreach, Unveils Remodeled Dental Clinic On Campus
Published
47 minutes agoon
August 13, 2025By
Editor
The Dean, School of Dentistry, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof.(Mrs) Idia Ize-Iyamu on Wednesday flagged-off the institution’s School of Dentistry free Oral Health Outreach and treatment programme, tagged” Operation Know Your Oral Health Status and Take Control of your General Health “.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu, who is the Chief Medical Director (CMD) designate of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) said the exercise was to herald the 10th Distinguished Lecture Series and the Annual Scientific Conference of the University of Benin School of Dentistry in collaboration with the Department of Community Dental Health , the department of Periodontics and the UNIBEN Health Centre Dental.
Prof Ize-Iyamu also performed the
Commissioning of the Renovated and fully equipped dental clinic in UNIBEN donated by the family of Dr. Victor Ovbiagele of blessed memory.
She noted that the University of Benin School of Dentistry is committed to educating the people on the many benefits of oral health hygiene.
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Prof. Ize-Iyamu hailed the visionary leadership of the University of Benin Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edoba Omoregie for investing and improving the physical facilities, equipment, and remodeling of the institution’s health centre .
Prof. Ize-Iyamu pledged her commitment to enhance quality of care by ensuring that healthcare services are delivered to a high standard, with skilled personnel and adherence to best practices.
“We are giving back to the society by way of this free Oral Health Outreach and treatment programme. Our Vice-Chancellor’s mandate is to ensure staff and students’ welfare .This event is in commemoration of 10th public lecture series and our School of Dentistry Annual Scientific Conference .”She said.
While commissioning the UNIBEN dental clinic, Prof. Ize-Iyamu charged alumni to pick a project as part of their contribution to their Alma mater.
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She expressed appreciation to the Ovbiagele family for the renovation of the dental clinic, saying the family of Dr Victor Ovbiagele have etched their name in gold as a result of the donation of the dental clinic.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Benin Prof. Christopher Osubor, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof . Edoba Omoregie said the university community is proud to identify with the school of dentistry for organizing the free dental care and treatment outreach for staff and students.
The DVC described the renovated and fully equipped dental clinic in UNIBEN as a world-class healthcare facility.
In his remark, Dean Faculty of Law (UNIBEN) Prof. Bright Bazuaye expressed his appreciation to the dean of the school of Dentistry (UNIBEN), Prof. (Mrs) Idia Ize-Iyamu and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Edoba Omoregie (SAN) for extending the free dental care gesture to staff and students of the faculty of law.
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On his part, Chairman Local Organizing Committee (LOC), School of Dentistry free Oral Health Outreach and treatment, Dr. Philip Ogordi said over 150 staff and students of the UNIBEN faculty of Law benefited in the exercise aimed at ensuring staff and students’ wellbeing in terms of oral health hygiene.
Ogordi said the free dental health care treatment is in line with the mandate of the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Edoba Omoregie (SAN) vision to promote the overall well-being of staff and students on campus.
Ohioma Ovbiagele, son of the Late Edo Commissioner of Health, who spoke on behalf of the Ovbiagele family, said that the renovated and fully equipped dental clinic is in commemoration of the 20 years remembrance of their patriarch, Late Dr. Victor Oamien Ovbiagele .
Personalities at the event include Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Justice Roland Amaize (rtd), Dr. Dan Aigbavboa, Ven. David Egbenusi, Prof. Wilson Sadoh, Prof. Osawe Omoregie, Prof. Joan Enabulele and Mrs Rosemary Ovbiagele, matriarch of the family of the former Edo Commissioner of Health, Dr. Victor Ovbiagele of blessed memory and donor of the renovated dental clinic at UNIBEN among others.
News
FG Gives KWAM 1 Aviation Appointment, After Airport Incident
Published
3 hours agoon
August 13, 2025By
Editor
The Federal Government has announced plans to engage Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol, after the recent controversy over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a statement outlining resolutions to recent cases of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.
Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had agreed to reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month and would work with the musician to promote awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation space.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will lead the engagement process.
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”The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
”Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” the statement read.
The minister added that the decision followed appeals from well-meaning individuals, as well as KWAM 1’s public show of penitence over the August 5 incident in which he allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft’s movement.
Keyamo also revealed that the NCAA would withdraw its criminal complaints against the artiste.
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The development comes days after the musician apologised to the public, insisting the flask he carried on the day of the incident contained water for medical reasons and not alcohol, as was alleged by security personnel.
The minister emphasised that the clemency was granted on “compassionate grounds” , warning that the government remained committed to enforcing safety and security laws in the aviation sector.
On August 5, KWAM 1 was involved in a confrontation with airline staff and security officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos.
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He was accused of carrying a prohibited flask believed to contain alcohol, spilling its contents on personnel, and later walking onto the aircraft’s tarmac, allegedly blocking the plane from taxiing.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority described the act as a breach of aviation safety regulations and initially placed him on a six-month no-fly list while filing a criminal complaint with the police.
News
Gov. Mohammed Flags Off Cybernation Program In Bauchi, Targets 100, 000 Citizens On Digital Skill
Published
5 hours agoon
August 13, 2025By
Editor
In a determined move to position Bauchi State as a hub for digital innovation and a technologically-driven state, Governor Bala Mohammed on Tuesday flagged off what he called a “Cybernations” program–
an intensive cybersecurity training initiative.
This ambitious program known as the Digital Literacy and Skill Framework Bauchi Initiative, the project, developed in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will provide basic digital skills training to more than 100,000 citizens by 2027.
Speaking at the launching in Bauchi on Tuesday, the governor said the initiative “marks a turning point for our state’s economic future” and will ensure that citizens, especially young people, can participate fully in the global digital economy.
He added that DL4ALL will integrate digital education into schools and workforce development policies, creating a talent pipeline for both local and international employers.
He also said it will offer advanced training to 2,000 youths in high-demand technology fields such as software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity among others.
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He said, “We acknowledge that Information Technology is today and in the foreseeable future the fastest growing industry and one with increasing capacity to absorb young people with skills. Its advantage is such that everyone can undertake training and acquire skills, be certified and create a sustainable source of livelihood leveraging on its power.
“Our vision is clear: to transform Bauchi into a digitally inclusive, economically vibrant, and innovation-driven state. We aim to harness technology not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for economic diversification, human capital development, and social transformation.”
Also, the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju in a goodwill message Harped on the importance of cybersecurity awareness in today’s digital age.
He highlighted the need for collective efforts to equip Nigerians with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in a digital society.
He added that through visionary leadership of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammed, Galaxy Backbone has successfully extended its digital infrastructure to Bauchi via fibre optic connectivity and deployed 3 eLTE base stations to deliver true broadband internet access.
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Country Representative of Protexxa’s Abi -Hafsat Abubakar, described the initiative as a gateway to over 3,5 million global cyber security jobs.
“The Cyber Nation programme, in partnership with Protexxa Inc, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and second in Africa, whereby 500 youths will be trained as certified cyber security experts with dire f pathway to local and international employment, including opportunities to earn foreign currency”.
Speaking in the same vein, the Director General Bauchi State Bureau for Information and Communication Technology, (BICTDE), Hayatudeen Babamaji noted that the Bauchi State Cyber Nations Program, in partnership with Protexxa Inc., under the leadership of Governor Balance Mohammed is a pioneering initiative the first of its kind in Nigeria and second in Africa.
Babamaji added that the program will train youths to become world-class cybersecurity professionals, equipping them with the skills to protect critical infrastructure and participate competitively in the global digital economy.
“As we launch these programs, I want to reaffirm that this is not random. Our vision is clear, our direction is set, and with the collaborative programs such as these, we will achieve our goal of making Bauchi State an ICT hub not just for the North East region but whole of Nigeria and beyond”.
Other critical stakeholders include the Chief Operating Officer, Protexxa Inc. Canada, Rick Huijbregts, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission,(NCC) Dr. Aminu Maida, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji and MD, Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited, Mrs Nkechi Idehen among others.
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