Many Nigerians are raising concerns over the growing issue of recycled phone numbers, questioning the effectiveness of telecom companies’ SIM registration and identity verification systems.
The concerns follow multiple reports of individuals receiving “new” SIM cards already linked to other people’s digital footprints. These include bank alerts, WhatsApp accounts, business transactions, and even calls related to alleged crimes.
Some affected users recount how they have been wrongly accused, threatened. And also exposed to financial risks after unknowingly purchasing reassigned phone numbers.
A Nigerian corp member in an interview narrated how she nearly bagged a jail term after buying a new SIM. According to her, the sim card had been reportedly used to demand ransom for a kidnapping incident.
Another internet user explained how the new user of his old phone number turned into his unofficial Personal Assistant. The new user now sends a list of numbers that call him on a daily basis on the previous line to him.
He wrote:
“They sold my number to someone, now she’s like my unofficial P.A. Whenever someone calls the number, she sends the caller’s number to me. I will never understand the idea behind reselling an already assigned phone number.”
However, the controversy has since sparked wider concerns over Nigeria’s SIM registration framework, particularly the linkage of phone numbers to sensitive personal identifiers like National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).
While raising the alarm, emphasis is make on how recycled numbers can still be connected to previous users’ information despite mandatory biometric registration and NIN-SIM integration.
Recalling that, As of early 2026, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) requires operators to wait 360 days to one year of total inactivity (no calls, SMS, or data) before recycling a SIM card.
However, critics opined that the process lacks adequate safeguards, exposing subscribers to identity theft, fraud, and privacy breaches.
In response to growing public concern, the House of Representatives urged the NCC to extend the waiting period. Before inactive numbers can be reassigned from 180 days to 18 months. Lawmakers say the move would better protect Nigerians from wrongful accusations, data breaches, and financial exploitation.
While addressing the issue, the NCC recently introduced the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS). A new platform designed to help banks, telecom providers, and security agencies. In order to aid verify recycled or suspicious phone numbers in real time before granting access to sensitive services. The regulator says the system is aimed at strengthening digital identity security and reducing SIM-related fraud.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
