…SIM Card Reassignment Waiting Period and the Hidden Risk to Your BVN.
Lawmakers cite rising fraud, identity theft and data breaches linked to recycled phone numbers.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | SIM Card Reassignment Waiting Period has come under renewed scrutiny as the House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Nigerian Communications Commission https://ncc.gov.ng to extend the dormancy period before inactive phone numbers are reassigned to new users to one year and six months.
Lawmakers argued that lengthening the SIM card reassignment waiting period would strengthen compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, and shield citizens from fraud, identity theft and wrongful criminal allegations arising from recycled phone numbers.
In this report, we examine the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications.
Background of the Story
Under existing telecommunications guidelines, network providers are permitted to deactivate and reallocate inactive SIM cards and phone numbers after 180 days and up to one year of dormancy.
The policy, framed within the NCC’s Telecom Identity Risk Management framework, allows operators to recycle unused numbers in order to maintain operational efficiency and manage limited numbering resources.
However, growing concerns have emerged over the unintended consequences of this practice, particularly when reassigned numbers remain linked to sensitive personal data such as Bank Verification Numbers and National Identity Numbers.
The Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, established a comprehensive legal framework for safeguarding personal data and created the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to regulate the processing of such information.
Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act also empowers the NCC to formulate regulations, guidelines and standards for the communications industry.
Against this backdrop, lawmakers now believe the SIM card reassignment waiting period requires urgent review.
Key Developments
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Billy Osawaru, representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State, during plenary.
Osawaru proposed extending the SIM card reassignment waiting period to 18 months. He further recommended that inactive SIM cards slated for reallocation should be publicly announced in national newspapers and reported to the police once or twice annually.
According to him, this additional layer of transparency would make it easier to trace disputes and resolve criminal or fraudulent cases linked to recycled numbers.
Presenting the motion, Osawaru told the House that network providers deactivate and reassign dormant numbers without the knowledge of former subscribers.
“The House is aware that the Nigerian Communications Commission guidelines mandate network providers to deactivate and reallocate inactive SIM cards and phone numbers after a period of 180 days and later one year of dormancy without the knowledge of the former subscriber,” he said.
He noted that telecom operators argue it is not financially sustainable to retain inactive SIM cards indefinitely, even when those numbers are registered with subscribers’ personal data.
But he warned that innocent Nigerians have suffered embarrassment, humiliation and extortion due to crimes allegedly committed with phone numbers previously used by others.
“We are worried that many innocent Nigerians and other nationals have been embarrassed and extorted over false allegations resulting from reallocation of SIM cards or phone numbers used to commit a crime by the previous user,” Osawaru said.
He stressed that if not strictly guided, SIM card reassignment could result in data breaches, identity theft and financial fraud, particularly where numbers remain linked to previous owners’ banking and identity records.
The motion received overwhelming support and was adopted without opposition.
Following its passage, the House mandated its Committees on Communications and Commerce to engage with the NCC, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission and other relevant agencies to ensure stronger safeguards for telecom subscribers.
The committees are expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Lawmakers across party lines described the move as necessary in a digital economy where phone numbers serve as gateways to financial and identity systems.
A member of the House Committee on Communications said the SIM card reassignment waiting period must reflect the realities of modern digital integration.
“Today, your phone number is tied to your bank accounts, your NIN, your BVN and even your social media,” the lawmaker said. “If that number is recycled too quickly, the consequences can be severe.”
Digital rights advocates have also welcomed the proposal, arguing that stronger safeguards are long overdue.
A data protection analyst told The iNews Times that extending the waiting period would reduce the likelihood of overlapping digital identities.
“When numbers are reassigned while still linked to critical databases, it creates legal and financial risks,” the analyst said. “Transparency measures like public announcements could also help mitigate disputes.”
Telecom operators, however, are expected to raise concerns about operational efficiency and numbering resource constraints, especially in a country with over 200 million active telecom subscriptions.
Implications
The debate over the SIM card reassignment waiting period highlights the evolving intersection between telecommunications policy and data protection law.
As Nigeria deepens digital financial inclusion and expands mobile-based services, the risks associated with identity-linked phone numbers are becoming more pronounced.
A longer dormancy period could reduce fraud and wrongful criminal accusations, but it may also require regulatory adjustments to manage numbering availability.
The move also signals growing legislative assertiveness in enforcing compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
If implemented, the proposal could reshape telecom risk management policies and force operators to adopt more robust identity verification and de-linking mechanisms before reassigning numbers.
For millions of Nigerians who rely on mobile numbers for banking, business and government services, the outcome could significantly affect digital trust and consumer protection.
What Happens Next
The House Committees on Communications and Commerce will begin consultations with the NCC and other relevant agencies in the coming weeks.
Their findings and recommendations, expected within four weeks, may pave the way for regulatory amendments or further legislative action.
The NCC could either revise its guidelines to extend the SIM card reassignment waiting period or propose alternative safeguards to address lawmakers’ concerns.
The iNews Times will closely track developments as Nigeria navigates the delicate balance between telecom efficiency and data protection compliance.
Conclusion
The push to extend the SIM card reassignment waiting period to 18 months reflects mounting anxiety over digital identity security in an increasingly connected Nigeria.
While telecom operators argue that recycling inactive numbers is a practical necessity, lawmakers insist that citizen protection must come first.
As legislative and regulatory bodies deliberate, one thing is clear: in a digital age where a phone number is more than just a contact line, the stakes are higher than ever.
The iNews Times remains committed to reporting the policies shaping Nigeria’s data protection and telecommunications landscape.
