FG’s suspension of SIM card registration forces 2 million youths out of jobs, telecom agents cry out

FG’s suspension of SIM card registration forces 2 million youths out of jobs, telecom agents cry out

- Some groups are not too pleased with the federal government's decision to suspend SIM registration and have advised against it

- A group of telecom agents said the suspension of the registration has rendered 2 million Nigerians jobless

- The president of ATOASDA, Hassan Yakubu, said rendering youths jobless might worsen the security challenges in the country

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The Arewa Telecom Operators Agents SIMCard Dealers Association (ATOASDA) said that about two million Nigerian youths have been rendered jobless by the recent suspension of sale, registration and activation of SIM cards.

The federal government through the ministry of communications and digital economy recently put the exercise on hold.

The Nation reports that the association made the disclosure on Monday, December 28, while addressing journalists in Kaduna.

FG’s suspension of SIM card registration force 2million youth out of jobs, Telecom agents cry out
The association begged the minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami, to look into their plea. Credit:@DrIsaPantami
Source: Twitter

Legit.ng gathered that the telecom dealers claimed that they were aware of the federal government’s intention to address security challenges through linkage of National Identity Number (NIN) with mobile numbers and suspension of new SIM card registration.

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They, however, expressed worry that rendering two million youths jobless might worsen the security challenges.

Hassan Yakubu, the president of ATOASDA, explained that as a registered association under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), members of the agents supported the federal government’s measures to protect the lives and property of the citizenry.

Yakubu said the income of the telecoms business partners, workers and the agents, majority of whom are within 20 to 40 years in the value chain, is determined by the number of activations/SIM registration carried out within the month.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said that Nigerians who possess the national identity card have the option of renewing the card every five years.

Kayode Adegoke, head of the corporate communications in the NIMC said once the card expires after its five-year duration, citizens who want to renew it can go to any NIMC centre to fill a card renewal form.

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In another report, two Nigerian celebrities reacted to the directive from the federal government that telecommunications operators should block all SIM cards that are not registered with the NIN.

According to the president's personal assistant on new media, Basir Ahmed, the initiative was introduced to curtail insecurity in the country.

Taking to his page on Twitter, media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu shared a quote that was used by Buhari's media assistant, Tolu Ogunlesi, before his appointment.

He said Nigerian leaders are a group of regulators who also need to be regulated.

Singer Simi also shared her opinion about the initiative. According to her, she doesn't mind if the government decides to block her sim card.

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Source: Legit.ng

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