NCC launches portal to track recycled phone numbers

Nigeria's telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has developed the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) Portal to combat fraud and identity risks from recycled phone numbers. The portal will monitor reassigned numbers and share data with telecom operators to prevent SIM exploitation in Nigeria's critical digital ecosystem, where phone numbers serve as key identifiers for banking, social platforms, and government services. Launching after a 21-day consultation ending March 2026, the portal will be accessible to regulators like the CBN, SEC, and security agencies. The system addresses risks where recycled numbers cause identity mix-ups and fraud, such as when reassigned numbers are linked to criminal activities. Proposed reforms include mandatory notifications to subscribers before churning and a framework for warehousing inactive numbers. Will you monitor your number's status or contact your operator about recycling policies?

SOURCE: https://techcabal.com/2026/02/27/nigerias-telecom-regulator-plans-revision-of-sim-recycling-policy/