Telecom
SIM Recycling Puts Nigerian Phone Users in Danger
IN August 2014, Kazeem Biriowo visited sales promotion event organised by the MTN in Ota, Ado/Odo/Ota Local Government Area in Ogun State.
Due to the enticing promotional benefits, he bought an MTN SIM card.
According to International Center for Investigative Reporting, (ICIR), right there, he did his Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration, data capturing as well as fingerprints.
ICIR is an independent, nonprofit news agency that seeks to promote transparency and accountability through robust and objective investigative reporting.
According to ICIR, surprisingly, months after, a subscriber, who seems to be a Lagos businessman, residing at the Bourdillion called claiming, he is the real owner of the line.
Prior to this time, clients of the businessman were communicating via text messages to the same line, oblivious of the fact that recipient of those messages is not actually their business partner.
This continued for a long time, until he resolved to discard the SIM card for a newly registered one.
“It appears the person is into freight business because his clients sent several credit alerts to the SIM,” Biriowo told The ICIR.
“For instance, someone once sent a message that he has just sent N100, 000 to his (businessman) account as part of N500, 000 payment so far made. So, to avoid impersonation, I decided to forgo the line.”
Inspite of his trouble, Biriowo bought another MTN line.
But, he was shocked to find out the new line he duly registered was also registered with name belonging to another person, after checking through the True Caller, a popular phone application used to verify people’s identity.
“I was surprised to see Nurse Awal,” he said.
Again, just last week someone called him and said, “Mr Man, this is my phone number. At this time, I was furious. So, I responded– Mr Man! You have called the wrong line”, says Biriowo. “He called again but I insisted the line is mine. So, he terminated the call.”
Why phone users may be at risk
Subscribers to the major telecommunication companies were randomly contacted. And findings showed that most of those who did SIM swap have experienced frustration due to SIM recycling capable of exposing users to danger.
On 7th January, Omoyele Sowore, the Sahara Reporters Publisher shared on his timeline how a man, Anthony Okolia was illegally detained for possessing a phone line he purchased years after it was allegedly abandoned by Hanan Buhari, daughter of Nigeria’s President.
It was discovered that the accused had earlier registered the SIM. Fortunately, he was still in possession of the payment receipt.
In fact, Okolia was allegedly detained for 10 weeks but later released through the effort of his lawyer when Buhari’s daughter refused to present herself to prove she is the rightful owner.
The incident generated some controversy. While some questioned legality of SIM swap, others expressed worry over unlawful detainment of the accused persons. There are several other Nigerians who have had similar SIM swap experience but not made their complaints public.
Last year December, Adeleke Adewolu, NCC Executive Commissioner on Stakeholder Management (ECSM) attributed illegal SIM swaps as being responsible for the highest cyber threats recorded in the telecom sector.
But, based on Biriowo’s observation, anyone who buys a phone line which starts with 08033, for instance in 2018 and above could have bought a swapped line. The original owner could be dead or the SIM card stolen, thus such SIM may have been recycled, he suggested.
While this may be entirely true, The ICIR also discovered that mobile phone lines which have been inactive for three months are mostly considered moribund by telecom firms.
It was also discovered that some of the operators would often send a short message to subscribers after the third month to verify the line’s activeness. The concerned persons are then advised to recharge a certain amount; otherwise, the line will be re-cycled.
An alternative scenario is such that mobile SIM cards are mostly produced in batches such as from 0803, 0806, 0813 etc for the MTN. Globacom phone number prefix started with O805, 0807, 0705…etc while Airtel is 0802, 0902, 0701, 0808, 0708, etc. The trend further applies to the other telecom network operators.
As such, while new SIMS are produced, unused ones are recycled but with likely grave consequences to subscribers.
More sordid experience
A journalist who sought anonymity while sharing his experience told The ICIR how he registered his SIM card in Lagos at a roadside outlet believed to be an accredited Airtel agent. He had used the same active SIM for years until he moved to Abuja.
“Those guys captured me. They did my fingerprint and collected every data…” he said.
At the advent of the 4G network, he decides to upgrade his SIM card at the Airtel office situated within the Central Business District (CBD). But he was shocked when he got a surprising response at the counter – his line belongs to someone else.
“When I wanted to change to 4G last month, I went to the Airtel office at Shoprite in Musa Yardua and I was told to write down my name. I did that, but after he checked, I was told it is assigned to another name.
“It is my active line. In fact, I abandoned another line for it. So that’s not possible,” he argued, yet in a state of confusion. But, the telecom operator official affirmed, “that’s what the record shows.” It was same experience with Biriowo, the earlier complainant.
The senior journalist was later advised to re-register the number in his name before he could migrate to 4G. And he was told he would wait another one month before the migration could happen.
Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has commenced the process of divesting its interest in NTEL/NATCOM, saying the telecommunications company has undergone a major transformation that positions it as one of its most promising asset recovery success stories.
NatCom Development and Investment Limited, trading as ntel, is a Nigerian telecommunications company that acquired the core legacy assets of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and its mobile arm (MTel) in 2015.
Mr. Gbenga Alade, managing director and chief executive officer, AMCON, disclosed this during an interactive session with senior media executives in Lagos at the weekend, where he also revealed that the Corporation recovered about N165 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 64 per cent increase over the N107 billion recovered during the corresponding period of 2025.
Alade said the planned sale of NTEL follows the successful divestment of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and forms part of AMCON’s strategy to unlock value from distressed assets while attracting credible investors into key sectors of the economy.
According to him, the divestment programme is being conducted through a transparent and structured process designed to attract strategic investors capable of repositioning the telecoms company for sustainable growth.
He explained that NTEL, the successor to the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), has embarked on a comprehensive three-pronged transformation strategy aimed at restoring its competitiveness and enhancing its investment appeal.
“The repositioning effort is designed to maximise value, strengthen operational competitiveness and prepare the business for long-term sustainability under new investment,” Alade said.
He described the transformation of NTEL as a significant milestone in the revitalisation of Nigeria’s legacy telecommunications assets, noting that the company remains an important part of the country’s telecom infrastructure and history.
Alade expressed confidence in the Board and Management of NTEL/NATCOM, saying their leadership has laid a solid foundation for the company’s next phase of growth.
“The remarkable transformation of NTEL is poised to become one of AMCON’s most notable success stories in the telecommunications sector. We have full confidence in the Board and Management of NTEL/NATCOM as they continue to demonstrate experience, innovation, diligence and commitment towards positioning this Nigerian-owned company to compete favourably with its peers both locally and internationally,” he stated.
He assured stakeholders that further updates on the divestment exercise would be communicated as major milestones are achieved, stressing AMCON’s commitment to transparency throughout the process.
Alade said the telecommunications divestment aligns with AMCON’s statutory mandate of maximising value from distressed assets, supporting economic growth and strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.
Beyond the planned sale of NTEL, the AMCON boss highlighted the Corporation’s improved operational performance, revealing that recoveries rose sharply in the first six months of the year.
According to him, the Corporation recovered approximately N165 billion between January and June 2026, compared to N107 billion recorded in the same period last year, while maintaining a cost-to-recovery ratio of just 2.3 per cent, reflecting greater operational efficiency.
Alade also announced what he described as a landmark Supreme Court judgment that strengthens AMCON’s debt recovery powers and clarifies key provisions of its enabling law.
He said the apex court affirmed that the AMCON Act constitutes a special legal regime that must be interpreted purposively because the Corporation was established to address the financial crisis triggered by the systemic banking challenges of 2008.
According to him, the Supreme Court further ruled that AMCON is exempt from paying stamp duties and confirmed that regardless of the size of an obligor’s indebtedness, the Corporation has the statutory authority to dispose of collateral assets in enforcing its rights and recovering outstanding debts.
“While we celebrate this landmark judgment and several other legal successes, we are not resting on our oars. We remain mindful of the various tactics employed by recalcitrant obligors to frustrate the Corporation’s operations,” Alade stated.
Responding to calls for the winding down of AMCON, the Managing Director alleged that many of those advocating the Corporation’s closure are debtors seeking to frustrate its recovery efforts.
He stressed that any decision on AMCON’s sunset remains the exclusive responsibility of its Board and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adding that the Corporation remains focused on recovering debts owed on behalf of the Nigerian people.
Alade also said AMCON has intensified collaboration with debt recovery partners, solicitors and receiver managers to improve the effectiveness of its recovery strategies.
“We regularly engage and sensitise our debt recovery partners, solicitors and receiver managers on the unique provisions of the AMCON Act. This ensures that when they appear in court on matters concerning the Corporation, they are fully conversant with both the facts and the applicable legal framework.
“In recognition of their commitment, and in response to prevailing economic realities, the Corporation has reviewed the commission structure for debt recovery agents and partners across the board. Together, we remain confident that we will continue to achieve significant success in our recovery efforts,” he said.
Africa risks falling behind in the global artificial intelligence (AI) economy, unless governments and the private sector rapidly increase investment in digital infrastructure, data capabilities and home-grown innovation.
This is according to a research report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), titled: “Advancing Africa’s AI and digital economy”.
It focuses on how Africa can accelerate investment in digital infrastructure, AI capabilities and regional collaboration, to build a competitive AI-driven economy and avoid falling behind in the global AI race.
The report argues that while AI is expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, Africa is capturing only a fraction of the opportunity because it lacks the infrastructure, skills and investment needed to compete in the emerging AI economy.
Although the continent has one of the world’s youngest populations and rapidly growing digital adoption, BCG warns that Africa remains primarily a consumer of digital technologies, rather than a producer of the infrastructure, platforms and intellectual property that will underpin future economic growth.
“Africa stands at a defining moment in the global AI revolution,” says Hamid Maher, MD and senior partner at BCG and one of the report’s authors.
“The continent has significant structural advantages, including a young population, growing digital adoption and the opportunity to build without legacy constraints.
“However, unless Africa invests in owning its digital infrastructure, data and AI capabilities, it risks becoming a consumer rather than a creator of the technologies that will shape future economic growth.
“The decisions taken today will determine whether Africa captures value from AI or simply imports it.”
Structural weaknesses
The report highlights the widening gap between Africa and the rest of the world. While digital activities account for about 15% of global GDP, Africa’s digital economy contributes only 5% of the continent’s GDP. At its current pace, this figure is projected to reach only 8.5% by 2050, it notes.
BCG says this slow progress comes despite encouraging developments, including Africa’s position as the world’s fastest-growing cloud market and strong adoption of mobile technology.
However, the continent accounts for 18% of the world’s population but less than 1% of global data centre capacity. At the same time, fewer than 2% of Africa’s approximately 2 000 languages are supported by large language models, limiting the relevance and accessibility of AI technologies for millions of people.
The report warns that these shortcomings are becoming increasingly significant as AI reshapes global industries. Traditional growth sectors − such as business process outsourcing, call centres and labour-intensive manufacturing − are likely to become increasingly automated, reducing opportunities that previously helped emerging economies industrialize.
“Without stronger participation in AI production, Africa risks exporting its data, while importing expensive AI services developed elsewhere, repeating historical patterns in which the continent supplied raw materials but captured little value from downstream industries,” it warns.
Three key barriers
BCG identifies the top challenges that continue to constrain Africa’s AI ambitions.
The first is economic fragmentation. “Africa’s 54 economies are individually too small to justify many of the large-scale investments required for AI infrastructure, while organisations within countries often lack sufficient capital to build digital platforms independently, “it says.
The second challenge is a shortage of AI talent. According to the report, Africa has about 62 000 AI specialists, representing only around 5% of the global AI workforce. Many of these professionals work remotely for overseas employers, limiting the development of domestic AI ecosystems.
“Africa has the ambition and, crucially, the talent it needs. With focus, coordination and political will, the continent can transition from disadvantaged digital consumer to empowered digital value creator and can secure its economic future.”
The third barrier is reliance on imported technology. African organisations often face higher software licensing costs than their international counterparts, while remaining dependent on foreign technology vendors, restricting innovation and limiting local value creation, the report asserts.
Patrick Dupoux, MD and senior partner at BCG, said these structural constraints are not unique to Africa, but require coordinated action.
“The challenge is not simply about adopting more digital technologies,” he points out.
“It is about ensuring African institutions increasingly build, govern and own the infrastructure, data and innovation ecosystems that power AI. Countries that produce AI capabilities rather than merely consume them will capture far greater economic value and create more sustainable jobs for future generations.”
Building Africa’s AI future
Rather than focusing solely on technology adoption, the report argues that Africa must establish the foundations needed to create its own AI economy.
BCG recommends building digital public infrastructure through public-private partnerships, with digital identity systems, payment platforms and secure data exchange networks serving as core building blocks.
The report also stresses the importance of stronger data governance to ensure information can be securely shared, while remaining under African ownership and control.
Ali Ziat, MD and partner at BCG, said collaboration will be essential if Africa is to compete globally.
“No single country or organisation can build Africa’s digital future alone,” he said.
“Pooling investment, creating shared infrastructure and embracing open systems will make projects financially viable, while encouraging innovation across borders. Combined with strong governance and coordinated leadership, these actions can help Africa become a global AI value creator instead of remaining on the side-lines.”
Young professionals have been urged to embrace continuous learning, resilience and personal responsibility as they prepare for leadership in an increasingly competitive world.
MTN Nigeria
The charge came from the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Karl Toriola, during his session at the ninth edition of the Redefinition Conference, held at the United Evangelical Church on July 25, 2026, themed “CTRL+S: Save. Deploy. Scale.”
The conference brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs and emerging professionals to discuss leadership, innovation and personal development.
Speaking during an interactive session, Toriola encouraged participants not to be discouraged by failure, stressing that mistakes are part of every successful journey. “Make no mistake: I have made a million mistakes in my life. Probably what has gotten me to where I am is I don’t let them completely wipe me out, and I always learn something and try and make it a little bit better after that mistake, and try not to repeat it over again,” he said.
He also challenged young professionals to take ownership of their careers through deliberate self-development. “Your career, your future, your life is your responsibility and your responsibility only. And nobody is going to give you any leeway because you started from behind… It is up to you to close that gap,” he said.
Toriola added that throughout his career, he invested his own time, money and vacation periods in developing new skills, including finance and risk management.
On the future of work, Toriola called on organisations to create environments where younger employees are encouraged to contribute ideas. “The balance will come if you give the new people that you bring into your organization an excessively loud voice. The problem is you bring in these people, and then you put them in a corner… and you shut them down,” he said.
He added that businesses must remain open to new thinking if they want to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.
The session ended on a memorable note when a student studying Data Engineering and Analytics requested an internship opportunity at MTN Nigeria.
Impressed by the student’s confidence, Toriola directed the individual to a member of his team after the session to explore the opportunity.
The exchange drew applause from the audience and reinforced the day’s message on taking initiative and creating opportunities through confidence and boldness.
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