News

NIN-SIM: How To Retrieve Your Barred Mobile Phone Numbers

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2024

The Nigerian Communications Commission has said that the over 40 million telephone lines barred after failing to link to the National Identity Numbers face the risk of being forfeited soon.

The NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking with The PUNCH in an interview.

According to him, the telephone lines barred by their telecommunication operators have breached the February 28, 2024 deadline issued by the commission mandating telecom customers to link their Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) to their NIN.

He said, “If the barred lines are not acted upon in the next 180 days. They won’t be able to receive calls but will only be able to text and make calls. But after the stipulated days, they would be barred from making calls too and theybmight forfeit their lines to their respective service provider within 365 days.”

However to unbar your phone lines, The PUNCH highlights the processes of the retrieval as explained by the NCC’s Director of Publicity to our correspondent.

1. For subscribers that have not registered for their NIN, get your SIM registered at accredited centres across the country.

2. Then link the NIN with your SIM through channels provided by your service provider.

3. For subscribers with registered NINs, simply visit your service provider centre and present the NIN or link your SIM through channels provided by your service providers.

4. But if you have NIN but it was forgotten, retrieve your NIN conveniently using your mobile phone by dialling *346# to get the number.

5. From the options displayed, select “NIN Retrieval”, by typing in ‘1’, if you are using the same phone number you enrolled with for your NIN.

6. Follow the steps displayed on your screen and provide the required inputs.

7. Note that using this service attracts a N20 fee only (deducted from your phone airtime balance).

8. However, the four Mobile Network Operators in the country have designated certain USSD codes for seamless and quick linkage of your NIN and your SIM cards. They are as follows:
a. For MTN Customers
Dial *785# using the phone number you wish to link, enter your NIN and submit or dial *785*Your NIN# from the phone number you wish to link. The number will be linked to your NIN automatically.

b. For Glo Customers
Simply send “UPDATENIN NIN FirstName and LastName” to 109.

c. For Airtel Customers
Just dial *121*1# now to link.

d. For 9Mobile Customers
Dial *200*8# and follow the prompts on your phone screen.

Adekunle Sulaimon
Adekunle, a fellow of Data and Solutions Journalism, has over four years experience with competences in data journalism and investigations.

News

Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

News

Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”