MTN Nigeria Shuts Down Nationwide Following SIM Card Blocking and Vandalism Incidents

In a dramatic turn of events, MTN Nigeria, one of the country’s leading telecommunications companies, has announced the closure of all its offices nationwide from July 30, 2024. The decision comes in the wake of a wave of subscriber outrage and vandalism incidents, triggered by the blocking of phone lines due to discrepancies in National Identification Numbers (NINs) and SIM card registrations.

On July 27, 2024, Nigerians across the nation reported being unable to make or receive calls after their phone lines were barred due to the failure to link their NINs with their SIM cards. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had previously set a deadline of July 31, 2024, for the full network barring of subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that had unverified NIN details.

The situation escalated on July 29, 2024, when a group of angry customers vandalized an MTN office in Festac Town, Lagos State. The crowd, reportedly frustrated by the network blockage, destroyed a barricade fence outside the office. The incident was captured in a viral video, drawing widespread attention to the subscribers’ grievances.

In response to the unrest, MTN Nigeria announced the nationwide closure of its shops on July 30, 2024. The company’s statement, shared on X.com, notified customers of the temporary shutdown. An official of the telecommunication company confirmed this to TheCable on Tuesday, citing the vandalism of the company’s properties as the reason behind the closure.

The Nigerian Police Force has condemned the vandalism, with Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin stating, “This should not be the way to go!” Hundeyin praised the swift response of the FESTAC Divisional Police Officer and his team, who successfully restored normalcy and maintained peace at the scene.

The NIN-SIM linkage policy, which began in December 2020, requires telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and SIMs not linked to NINs. The policy has faced several deadline extensions, with the latest being July 31, 2024, “to give consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified.”

As MTN Nigeria navigates this challenging situation, it remains to be seen how the company will address the grievances of its subscribers and prevent further incidents of vandalism. The closure of all offices nationwide is a significant move, highlighting the severity of the issue and the need for a resolution that satisfies both the telecommunications company and its customers.