It has been reported that the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has stated that it is not disqualifying Nigerians from getting the Subscriber Identity Module, SIM, only that the age limit must be in line with the constitutional provision.
This is coming after Nigerians reacted to banning citizens below 18 years of age from owning a SIM.
According to reports, the commission disclosed this in a statement titled ‘NCC not disqualifying Nigerians from getting SIM’ and signed by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde on Wednesday.
According to the statement, “The age of 18 years for SIM makes 18 years the age of consent in Nigeria.”
The statement added that, “Also, SIM acquisition is a contract between service providers and their subscribers, which requires the subscriber to have proper legal status, be of matured mind and rational enough to bear certain responsibilities, obligations and liabilities imposed by a contract.”
It disclosed that, “The proposal is, therefore, to protect minors. Parents and guardians can acquire SIMs in their names on behalf of their children and wards in which case they assume whatever responsibilities or liabilities arise from the usage of such SIMs, a measure expected to also strengthen national security.”
It noted that, “While the commission is progressively pursuing digital inclusion for all, the draft proposal is intended to guarantee increased monitoring of children and shield the minors from undue liabilities in line with NCC’s Child Online Protection drive.”
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