The registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) through third parties, recently identified by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a problem threatening the integrity of Nigeria’s telecommunication landscape is serious enough to warrant close attention by all stakeholders. By extension, the issue amounts to illegal SIM registration, and thereby threatens national security.

This time, the spotlight has been turned on a seemingly innocuous but deeply problematic practice—the delegation of SIM registration to domestic staff, drivers, and other third parties by “high-profile” Nigerians.

The NCC’s recent pronouncements, particularly from its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, highlight a troubling hypocrisy at the heart of this challenge. Precisely, Maida had during an interaction with the media, stated that there were no more cases of unregistered SIMs in the country’s telecommunication networks, the NCC having concluded the exercise long ago.

“Right now, I can authoritatively say that there is no unregistered SIM operating in the network, even though there might be issues, whereby a registered SIM is being used by somebody who is not the person who registered it.

“And I think this is where all of us are guilty because if you send your driver or house help to go and register a SIM simply because you don’t want your identity to be known, you are committing a crime”, Maida added. He noted that NCC could not be held responsible for situations where some registered SIMs are used by people other than those who registered them.

Admitting the need for enlightenment on the implications of such an action, Maida urged perpetrators to desist from such activities capable of serious embarrassment.

“On our part, we will try and do more to educate people on the consequences of such actions because if anything happens, nobody will listen to their story of registering SIMs for people at a fee of about N5, 000.”

Today, while there are over 300 million connected lines, 172 million, according to the NCC, are very active as of July 2025. SIM registration in Nigeria has evolved over the years, starting with a 2010 directive from the NCC to all MNOs. This initial effort aimed to curb the use of unregistered SIM cards for criminal activities. However, the process was fraught with challenges, including data integrity issues and the sale of pre-registered SIMs.

The current system represents a more robust approach, with the NIN serving as the core unique identifier. The government’s decision to enforce the linkage has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of active mobile subscriptions as unlinked lines were disconnected.

For years, the NCC has worked to enforce a robust SIM registration process, culminating in the linkage with the National Identification Number (NIN). The goal is clear: to create a verifiable database of subscribers that can be used to track and apprehend criminals who rely on anonymous communication to perpetrate their nefarious acts, from kidnapping and armed robbery to financial fraud. The success of this initiative is predicated on the honesty of every single subscriber. Yet, according to the NCC, this is where the system is being compromised, not by the masses, but by those who should, by virtue of their position and education, be setting a better example.

The act of sending a driver or domestic aide to register a SIM card is often born of a desire for convenience or, more disturbingly, a deliberate attempt to conceal one’s identity. The NCC rightly labels this a “crime” and a significant loophole. While the biometric systems in place might prevent the activation of a completely unregistered SIM, they cannot stop a registered SIM from being used by someone other than its true owner. When a crime is committed with a SIM card registered in a domestic worker’s name, it is the innocent party who is implicated, facing potential legal consequences and social embarrassment.

This practice is a dangerous form of negligence. It undermines the very foundation of the national SIM-NIN linkage policy. The NCC’s efforts to create a secure and traceable telecom environment are rendered less effective when a segment of the population, often the most influential, willfully circumvents the rules. It is an act of privilege that disregards the collective good.

While the NCC is right to call out this behavior, the responsibility does not fall on the public alone. The commission and its partners, the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), must also take a hard look at their own systems. How are these delegates able to successfully register SIMs on behalf of their employers? Are there weaknesses in the verification process at the point of registration? The NCC must not only educate the public on the dangers but also work with MNOs to tighten up their registration protocols to make such fraudulent delegation impossible.

Further, a more visible and stringent enforcement mechanism is needed. The NCC has often warned of arrests and prosecution, but tangible examples of high-profile individuals facing consequences for this specific offense are scarce. Without a credible threat of action, the warnings may be dismissed as mere rhetoric.

Ultimately, solving the problem of illegal SIM registration requires a multi-pronged approach. It starts with a change in mindset among the elite, who must recognize that their actions have broader societal implications. It continues with the NCC and MNOs strengthening their systems to eliminate loopholes. And it is sustained by consistent and fair enforcement that holds everyone accountable, regardless of their social standing. The NCC’s latest warning is a call to action—a reminder that a secure digital future for Nigeria is a shared responsibility; and no one is above the law.