The House of Representatives Nigeria has called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the waiting period before inactive phone numbers are reassigned to new users to 18 months.
Lawmakers said the move is necessary to protect Nigerians from fraud, identity theft, and wrongful criminal allegations that may arise when old SIM cards are quickly given to new subscribers.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion during plenary on Tuesday, sponsored by Billy Osawaru, who represents Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State.
Presenting the motion, Osawaru explained that under current guidelines, telecom operators are allowed to deactivate SIM cards that remain unused for a period and later reassign them to new users. He said this is usually done after about 180 days and, in some cases, up to one year of inactivity.
However, he warned that this practice has created serious risks for many Nigerians, especially when such numbers are still linked to sensitive personal data.
“The House is aware that the Nigerian Communications Commission guidelines mandate network providers in Nigeria to deactivate and reallocate inactive SIM cards and phone numbers to new subscribers after a period of 180 days and later one year of dormancy without the knowledge of the former subscriber,” he said.
He added that while telecom companies argue that it is not financially viable to keep inactive numbers on their networks indefinitely, there is a growing need to balance business interests with public safety and data protection.
The lawmakers proposed that the waiting period before reassigning such numbers should be extended to one year and six months. They said this extra time would reduce the chances of misuse and allow previous owners to fully disconnect their data from the numbers.
As part of the proposal, Osawaru also suggested that phone numbers due for reassignment should be publicly announced in national newspapers. He said this could be done once or twice a year to improve transparency.
In addition, he recommended that such numbers should be reported to the police before they are reassigned. According to him, this would help law enforcement agencies track and resolve cases linked to fraud or criminal activities involving recycled phone numbers.
Lawmakers expressed concern that many Nigerians have been wrongly accused or harassed over crimes committed using phone numbers that were once assigned to them but later reassigned to others.
“We are worried that many innocent Nigerians and other nationals have been embarrassed, humiliated 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 further warned that the situation could worsen if proper safeguards are not put in place, especially given the increasing role of digital identity systems in Nigeria.
Today, phone numbers are often linked to important personal data, including Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identification Numbers (NIN). These links make it easier for authorities and financial institutions to verify identities, but they also increase the risks when such numbers change hands.
Lawmakers noted that if a phone number is reassigned while still connected to sensitive data, it could expose the former owner to financial fraud or identity theft.
The motion also highlighted the relevance of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which provides a legal framework for safeguarding personal information in the country.
The Act established the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to oversee how personal data is collected, stored, and used. Lawmakers said extending the waiting period for SIM reassignment would support the goals of the law.
They also referenced the Nigerian Communications Act, which gives the NCC the authority to regulate the telecommunications industry and issue guidelines to operators.
Following deliberations, the motion received strong support from members of the House and was adopted without opposition.
As part of the resolution, 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 that stronger safeguards are put in place.
The committees are expected to report back within four weeks with recommendations for further legislative action.
In recent years, there have been increasing reports of fraud cases involving SIM cards, including scams, identity theft, and unauthorized access to bank accounts.
For many Nigerians, the proposal offers hope that stronger protections will be introduced to prevent abuse and ensure that personal data remains secure.
As discussions continue, attention will now shift to the NCC and other agencies, which are expected to review the proposal and consider possible changes to existing guidelines.