Here are ways to retain your Nigerian mobile phone SIM cards for between one and 3 years
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“A SIM [ Subscriber Identity Module] card or a line left dormant for up to a year can be recycled and sold to a new user,” explains Ikechukwu Adinde, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Director of Public Affairs.
He warned that although SIM card recycling is lawful in Nigeria, it can expose a former user of the line to identity theft and financial fraud.
The alert is particularly useful to Nigerians relocating abroad in pursuit of better opportunities who may leave their SIM cards inactive, unaware of the risks.
To prevent such harm, telecom carriers – MTN, Glo, and 9Mobile – provide the services below that enable subscribers retain their SIM cards (mobile telephone numbers) while abroad even when the numbers are not active.
MTN: Keep My Number (KMN)
MTN subscribers can use KMN service to retain their numbers for up to three years, regardless of inactivity. The service is open to all prepaid subscribers.
Subscription and cost:
- 1 year – N511 (Dial 3651# or text “KMN1” to 36500).
- 2 years – ₦819 (Dial 3652# or text “KMN2” to 36500).
- 3 years – ₦1228 (Dial 3653# or text “KMN3” to 36500).
Once payment is confirmed, the number is preserved for the chosen duration and the customer would not have to bother about deactivation or reissuance.
Glo: ALWAYS ON Plan
ALWAYS ON plan on Glo keeps SIM active for 365 days, even without making calls, sending texts, or using data.
Subscription and cost:
- Dial *777#, select “ALWAYS ON” from the menu, and follow the prompts.
- A one-time fee of ₦500 deducted from your main account balance.
This package is ideal for travellers who plan to be away for more than 90 days.
9Mobile: Extended SIM Validity
9Mobile users can keep their SIM active through Extended SIM Validity service available for both prepaid and postpaid customers.
Subscription and cost:
- Recharge with ₦500 and dial 5391# or text 1 to 539.
- Dial *539# to check your subscription status.
This service extends SIM validity by one year.
Some subscribers assume linking their phone number to their National Identification Number (NIN) offers immunity from deactivation but a dormant line is still susceptible to recycling.
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