The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the disqualification of Nigerians below the age of 18 from registering and owning a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card in the country.
This latest development was made known through a draft copy of the modified Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations published on the NCC website.
In the modified regulations, the NCC limited telecoms subscribers to only include Nigerians above the age of 18.
The NCC stated that the regulations were made in line with the powers conferred upon the commission by section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act,2003.
In accordance with Section 57 of the Act, the NCC, therefore, conducted a Public Inquiry on the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, alongside the draft SIM Replacement Guidelines and the draft Spectrum Trading Guidelines at its head office in Abuja on Tuesday.
At the public inquiry, which was held physically and virtually, key stakeholders, including Telecoms giant, MTN, urged the NCC to revise the age limit, adding that the age limit should be 14 years.
However, the NCC insisted on 18 years and above for Nigerians who want to own and register a SIM in the country.
