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NCC Looks Elsewhere as Sale of Preregistered Sim Cards Booms

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The over N6.1 billion poured into the ongoing Sim card registration is going down the drains with fresh evidences suggesting ready availability of preregistered Sim cards at every nooks and corners of the country  Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations have found.

Preregistered Sim cards are those in which the biometric identity of a different person is used to register the number of Sim cards, and then sold to different people such that identity of the user is not same with the one who registered the Sim.

The implication is that armed robbers; kidnappers and other criminals can buy these cards and hide under the anonymity they provide to perpetuate heinous crimes.

Checks around the country revealed that the trade is booming with a preregistered Sim card selling for as much as N1, 500. A fresh Sim card from any GSM operator cost just N200.

Even with the best efforts of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the trade is assuming the nature of organized crime with a chain that extends as far as the major dealers who purchase Sim cards in bulk to the hawkers on the streets and to gang kingpins.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that the federal government had embarked on the Sim card registration because of the increasing wave of crimes assisted by telecommunications as criminals hide under the anonymity of telephone access to commit crimes such as kidnapping and robbery.

The rationale is that if the owner of each SIM card in the country is known, it would be easy to trace any crime committed with the aid of a phone to a person.

Further checks showed that some unsuspecting poor Nigerians were being used to register such Sim cards in large quantities.

The government voted a questionable N6.1 billion for the registration even when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) undertook similar registration of all bank account holders in Nigeria without any special budget.

But there are series of scandals surrounding the handling of the money meant for the exercise which the NCC is fighting to absolve itself of any wrongdoing.

Critics said that whatever the benefit of preregistration is, that the government lack capacity to take advantage of it or to protect the citizens.

They said that the Sim registration process is too disorganized to make any meaningful impact and blamed the government for not doing enough to educate Nigerians on the dangers of preregistered Sim cards.

Bola Olubodun, a security expert , said, that process have been compromised because vital information of some Nigerian subscribers are now available to fraudsters and crooks of all kinds.

Tony Ojobo, director, Public Affairs at NCC, however, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the process is achieving its objectives.

He said that the constitutional way of fighting illegality is through the use of law enforcement agencies which the commission has been using.

According to him, some vendors of preregistered Sim cards have been arrested and enjoined Nigerians to report to the Nigerian Police any vendor of preregistered Sim card.

Deolu Ogunbanjo, president, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMs) however urged Nigerians to trust the system.

“ The law states that you have to register your Sim card, anybody going outside that is going contrary to the dictates of the law and should be made to face the wrath of the law” he added.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that the Sim card registration exercise  begun in February 2011 when the Nigerian Communications Commission signed contract with seven registration service providers to handle the registration process in different parts of the country along with telecommunications operators.

The contractors included SW Global for the South-East region — Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo; PNN for the North-Central region — Abuja, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and Nassarawa; Chams for Lagos; and JKK for the South-West region – Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Ondo.

Others were DATAGROUPIT for the North-East region — Yobe, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa and Taraba; EAGLE/CBC for the North West region — Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa; and E-Kenneth/SageMetrics for the South-South — Cross River, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa.

Since March 28, 2011 that the Sim card registration actually began, many issues had been thrown up.

But desperate to justify the process, Ojobo, who was a guest at a television programme in Lagos, said that the verification process had commenced and would be preceded by number portability, which is designed to empower GSM subscribers to switch to a different network provider while still maintaining the same phone number.

He said that the Sim registration exercise is taking time to close because “After the digital collection of the database, the process of harmonising and cleansing was begun. The numbers of SIM card that were initially collected was 100 million, at a time when the active subscription was about 97million.

“Because of this volume, caused by multiple cases of double registration, the operators found the process of collation tough, and it took a long while for them to upload the information to NCC backings. When this was done, we also discovered mismatching, and the process continued” he added.


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NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators in the country to notify affected customers of any data breach within 48 hours ( that is two day) of detecting such unauthorised infringement.

NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

This directive was  contained in the revised Internet Code of Practice 2026 by the NCC, on Friday.

The document seeks to define the rights and obligations of telecom operators in handing the rights of internet users to an open internet.

In the move to protect customer information, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are to take necessary measures to protect customers’ data from unauthorised use, disclosure, access or breach.

Telecom operators must now notify affected customers within 48 hours of detecting a compromise through text message, email or any other effective means. As contained in Chapter 3.4 of the regulation titled “Data Breach Notifications,”

The telecoms companies are also directed to notify the NCC of such a breach not later than 48 hours after determining such a breach.

Where full details of the breach are not immediately available, the provider shall issue a preliminary notification within the same period and furnish a comprehensive update within Fourteen (14) days thereafter, or within such extended period as the Commission may approve,” part of the section reads.

The guidelines, according to NCC, are in tandem with the provisions contained in the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and Part VI of Schedule 1 of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2024.

The regulation also joins other agencies’ policies, ensuring protection. Agencies such as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) protect consumers against misuse of personal data, identity theft, financial loss, and reputation damage.

The review comes at a time when privacy becomes core amid frequent breaches and illegal harvest of data such as biometric, national IDs, financial information, traffic and usage, and others.

Regulations are necessary for the proper handling, consent, and regulatory compliance regarding sensitive data, ensuring it is only processed for legitimate purposes.

Under Chapter 3.5, the Internet Code of Practice 2026 addressed the handling of harvesting of transactional data by notifying and getting approval from the NCC of any usage by a third party. It noted that the NCC approval will be defined by a review and assessment of such access and “its potential effects on national considerations, consumer information and personal data.”


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Globacom Promotes Valentine Gifting with Huge Discounts on Smartphones

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Globacom has announced a Valentine Smartphone promotion, which provides incredible savings on a variety of high-end smartphones from top manufacturers including Tecno, Samsung, and Infinix.

Starting on February 9, the promotion provides substantial price reductions on a number of Samsung models, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy A07, Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G. Customers who buy any of the phones will also receive a complimentary travel pouch and charger, as well as up to 18GB of extra data for six months, only available on the Glo network.

Along with other Infinix models, Tecno devices are also offered at attractive discounts, giving customers a large range of smartphones to fit a variety of tastes and price ranges.

The goal of the Glo Valentine promotion is to provide customers with the best possible deals on carefully chosen smartphones that are renowned for their cutting-edge technology, stylish designs, and dependable performance. The offer, which includes alternatives to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles, reaffirms Globacom’s dedication to customer happiness, digital adoption, greater data usage, and client centricity.

The company revealed that the promotion aligned with customers’ expectations during celebratory seasons, when demand is highest for quality smartphones at affordable prices. The company added that its partnership with trusted global and regional brands such as Samsung, Infinix, and Tecno ensures that customers enjoy premium features without compromising on value.

“The Valentine season is about connection, and what better way to stay connected than with a smartphone that fits your needs and aspirations,” the company stated. “This promo gives our customers the chance to get their dream smartphones at some of the best prices of the year, along with generous data bonuses to keep them connected,” the company disclosed.

Customers are encouraged to visit Gloworld outlets nationwide to take advantage of the Valentine Smartphone Promo while stocks last.

 


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GBB Expands Broadband to 13 Underserved Communities In 2025

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Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has recorded a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey by advancing broadband connectivity to 13 underserved institutions and communities nationwide in 2025, reinforcing its position as the nation’s digital backbone and a trusted partner in national development.

Guided by its mandate to enable a digitally inclusive Nigeria, GBB deliberately extended connectivity to locations within reach of its infrastructure footprint, particularly institutions with strong potential for productive use but limited readiness for immediate commercial engagement. Through this effort, the organisation continues to unlock opportunity, stimulate innovation, and support sustainable growth across critical sectors of the economy.

The expansion reached three Federal Universities, two Local Government Areas, and eight Federal Secretariats, strengthening digital capabilities in education and public administration while enhancing service delivery across the country.

GBB also extended reliable broadband connectivity to strategic and cultural landmarks such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, underscoring its commitment to supporting national infrastructure that drives economic activity, mobility, and global connectivity.

These deployments highlight Galaxy Backbone’s resolve to bridge the digital divide and empower institutions that shape Nigeria’s future. They demonstrate the measurable national impact of GBB’s infrastructure investments and reflect the tangible progress of the Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), further solidifying the organisation’s role as the platform upon which government institutions and communities can confidently build their digital future.

More importantly, the milestone illustrates that GBB’s work extends beyond technology by enabling education, improving governance, supporting economic participation, and connecting citizens to opportunity.

The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broadband penetration objectives and complements national programmes such as Project 774 – Universities’ Hostel Connectivity, ensuring coordinated, scalable, and sustainable impact across the country. Commenting on the achievement, Galaxy Backbone noted that every new connection brings Nigeria closer to a more inclusive digital economy while reinforcing the infrastructure required for innovation and national competitiveness.

As implementation continues, GBB remains committed to expanding access, pushing boundaries, and delivering on the promise of a fully digital nation, with further updates expected as additional phases of the deployment progress.

Galaxy Backbone Limited is the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, dedicated to delivering secure, reliable, and scalable ICT solutions that support efficient governance, innovation, and sustainable national development.

 


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