Sequel to the directives by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to telecommunication companies regarding unblocking of barred SIM cards, some telcos have issued clear guidelines to assist subscribers in unblocking their SIM cards.
Recall that the telcos recently embarked on mass disconnection of SIM cards over the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM harmonisation exercise.
This initiative, designed to improve the integrity of the national SIM registration database, has resulted in temporary service disruptions for many users.
In response, telecom companies provided a detailed statement on Monday, outlining step-by-step instructions to help affected customers restore their connectivity.
1. Airtel: Dial *121# and enter your eleven-digit NIN. A confirmation message will indicate that your Airtel SIM card has been successfully unbarred.
2. 9mobile (EMTS): Dial *200*8#.
3. Glo: Dial 109 followed by your NIN number (e.g., *109*12345678901#) and follow the prompts to submit your NIN.
4. MTN: Visit [nin.mtn.ng](http://nin.mtn.ng) to check NIN status. If not linked, proceed to link it. An OTP and NIN will be required. Once linked, your line will be automatically unbarred.
5. Smile: Send your NIN to [email protected] or call 07020444444. After providing consent and verifying your NIN, your line will be unbarred.
6. Spectranet: Call 8002345678 or email [email protected] to submit your NIN. KYC verification at a Spectranet store is required. You can also submit your NIN online but must complete KYC at a Spectranet store.
7. Ntel: Visit any Ntel store with your NIN. Your fingerprint will be used to verify your existing KYC profile. Upon verification and consent, your line will be updated and unbarred.