Oyo SIM Card Registrars Protest in Ibadan, Urge FG To Lift Ban on Registration

The Association of SIM Card Registrars of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter has appealed to the Federal Government to restore their source of livelihood by lifting the suspension on SIM registration.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the association, Mr Mayowa Anjorin, made the appeal during a peaceful protest at the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Zonal office in Ibadan.


Anjorin, a graduate, said he started the SIM registration business to make ends meet, particularly when securing a white-collar job was not forthcoming.


He, however, said that since the suspension directive from the government, the source of his livelihood, like that of others, had been affected.


He said, “Majority of our members are graduates, who only want a legitimate source of income and have refused to go into yahoo, yahoo, stealing and kidnapping to survive.

“The NCC policy is depriving about 200 million Nigerians their rights to buy new SIMs, register their SIMs or retrieve their lines.

“We are appealing to the government to bring back SIM registration, which goes for only N100; we are not criminals and we don’t intend to become one,” he said.

While addressing the protesters at the NCC office, Mr Yomi Arowosafe, Controller, NCC Ibadan Zonal Office, assured that their grievances would be conveyed to the appropriate quarters.

“We have appealed to your association through your leaders and we are appealing to you now that you have to exercise some little patience.

“The time required for the federal government to achieve its aim is not as much as the time already spent on the process.

“We appeal to you to be patient while the government gets to the end of this,” Arowosafe said.