The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a new policy that prohibits Nigerians under the age of 18 from owning SIM cards. The NCC states that this measure is intended to protect minors from potential legal issues associated with SIM card usage. Under the new policy, children can still use mobile phones, but the SIM cards must be registered in the name of a parent or guardian.
This means that adults will be held accountable for any issues arising from the use of these SIM cards. This regulation has been in development since 2021 as part of the NCC’s broader initiative to enhance telecom security and streamline the industry. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to those who have been following NCC’s regulatory updates.
The age restriction aligns with Nigerian law, which sets the age of consent at 18. According to the NCC, managing a SIM card is akin to entering into a contract, and thus, only adults should bear such responsibilities. In addition to implementing age limits, the NCC has been striving to improve the accuracy of subscriber data.
Nigeria’s mobile user base experienced a significant decline recently, dropping from 219 million subscribers in March 2024 to 153.32 million by September. This reduction was largely due to the enforcement of the National Identification Number (NIN) linkage to SIM cards and some data inaccuracies, such as one network provider over-reporting active users by approximately 40 million.
Overall, the trend towards imposing age limits, whether for SIM cards or university admissions, reflects a broader push for increased accountability and oversight. Whether driven by security concerns or regulatory objectives, these changes are reshaping how young people access services in Nigeria.
