Reps ask NCC to extend period for reassignment of inactive phone numbers

The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the waiting period before inactive phone numbers are reassigned to new users to one year and six months. This move aims to strengthen compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2023, and protect Nigerians from fraud and identity theft. Lawmaker Billy Osawaru proposed that inactive SIM cards be publicly announced in national newspapers and reported to the police once or twice annually.