The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Nigerian Communications Commission to extend the waiting period before inactive phone numbers are reassigned to new users to one year and six months.

The lawmakers said the move would strengthen compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2023, and protect Nigerians from fraud, identity theft and wrongful criminal allegations linked to reassigned SIM cards.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo, Billy Osawaru, during plenary.

Mr Osawaru proposed that the additional six months should allow for inactive SIM cards due for reallocation to be publicly announced in national newspapers and reported to the police once or twice annually.

He said the measure would improve transparency and make it easier to resolve criminal or fraudulent cases arising from SIM card reassignment.

The Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, provides the legal framework for safeguarding personal data and established 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 and publish regulations, guidelines and standards for the communications industry.

Mr Osawaru said, “The House is aware the said guidelines mandate the network providers to deactivate and reallocate inactive SIM cards and phone numbers.”

He also said the same guideline empowers them to reallocate to new subscribers after a period of 180 days and, later, one year of dormancy without the knowledge of the former subscriber, as provided in their new Telecom Identity Risk Management Policy.

“The House is also aware, as claimed by network providers, that it is not financially sustainable or profitable for them to retain inactive SIM cards on their network despite being registered with the initial subscribers’ data.

“We are concerned that if not strictly guided and checked, reallocation of SIM cards or phone numbers to new subscribers could lead to data breaches.

“Identity theft and financial fraud, especially when the numbers are still linked to the previous owner’s sensitive information, such as bank verification number and national identity number,” he said.

The motion received overwhelming support from lawmakers and was adopted without opposition.

The House mandated its committees on communications and commerce to work 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. 

(NAN)