NCC to Reassign Dormant Phone Numbers After 1 Year: What Nigerians Must Know About the New Telecom Identity Risk Policy
In a major move that will affect millions of phone users in Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced its plan to implement a new Telecom Identity Risk Management Policy (TIRMP). This policy will allow telecom providers to reassign inactive phone numbers to new users after one year of dormancy.
According to Vanguard, the policy is part of a broader strategy by the NCC to improve telecom services, reduce fraud, and make better use of limited phone number resources. The revised framework is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2025, and it will bring major changes to how dormant or unused mobile numbers are managed in Nigeria.
In this article, NaijaRush breaks down everything you need to know about this important policy—from how it works, to why it matters, and how it affects you, your phone number, and even your bank accounts.
What Is the Telecom Identity Risk Management Policy (TIRMP)?
The Telecom Identity Risk Management Policy (TIRMP) is a digital system designed to track, manage, and regulate inactive or misused phone numbers across all mobile networks in Nigeria. It is being developed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with other stakeholders such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and security agencies.
The platform will enable cross-sector data sharing, allowing telecom operators, banks, and government institutions to monitor and flag phone numbers that pose risks—especially those still connected to bank accounts, NIN records, or other sensitive digital services after the user has stopped using them.
A source at the NCC explained:
“The TIRMP platform will support cross-sector data sharing, enabling relevant stakeholders to track and manage inactive or misused numbers more effectively.”
How Does It Work?
According to the policy guidelines, a phone number is considered inactive if there has been no revenue-generating activity—such as making or receiving calls, sending SMS, using data, or performing USSD transactions—for 180 consecutive days.
If that number continues to remain inactive for another 180 days, making it a total of 360 days (or one full year), the number becomes eligible to be "churned" or reassigned to a new user.
This means if you stop using your SIM card and it stays inactive for 12 months, you could lose your number permanently.
A source at the NCC confirmed this by saying:
“The QoS Regulation and Business Rules 2024 provides that after 365 days without any Revenue Generating Event, the line can be churned by the operator.”
This guideline gives mobile network operators (MNOs) the legal permission to reclaim the inactive number and return it to the market for new users.
Why Is the NCC Reassigning Inactive Numbers?
There are several reasons why the NCC is taking this step:
1. Phone Numbers Are Finite and Scarce
Phone numbers are not unlimited. Each number must follow a specific international format, which limits the number of possible combinations. This format is governed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under Recommendation E.164.
The NCC noted that:
“Numbering resources are the backbone of modern telecommunications. They are inherently scarce because each number must conform to a fixed length and format, yielding only a limited set of valid combinations.”
In simple terms, the more numbers that stay unused, the fewer there are available for new subscribers or new services. Reclaiming inactive numbers will help address this shortage.
2. To Reduce Telecom Fraud and Improve Security
Inactive numbers that are still connected to banking apps, BVNs, or government services can pose a serious security risk. Fraudsters could hijack or repurpose these numbers for scams, identity theft, or unauthorized transactions.
By using the TIRMP system, the NCC wants to help flag high-risk numbers, improve digital safety, and protect users in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The commission emphasized:
“The new TIRMP platform will help reduce fraud risks by allowing service providers to identify and flag high-risk numbers. This is particularly important in a digital economy where phone numbers are often tied to banking, identification, and other sensitive services.”
NCC’s Partnership With CBN and Security Agencies
To make the TIRMP platform successful, the NCC is not working alone. The commission has partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), security agencies, and other relevant stakeholders. This collaboration ensures that the system is robust, secure, and able to handle cross-sector data needs.
A beta version of the TIRMP system is already undergoing testing, and the NCC will serve as the official host and regulator of the platform.
By creating this unified system, the NCC hopes to create a safer telecom and financial ecosystem in Nigeria.
What Happens If You Lose Your Number?
If your SIM card stays inactive for more than a year and your number is reassigned, it can cause serious problems:
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Loss of access to bank accounts linked to the number
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Missed calls or messages from important contacts
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Exposure to fraud if your number was linked to personal services
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Issues with recovering digital accounts (WhatsApp, email, NIN, etc.)
This is why it’s very important to keep your SIM card active, even if you don’t use it regularly. Make a call, send an SMS, or do a USSD transaction at least once every few months to reset the inactivity timer.
What Should Nigerians Do Now?
To protect your phone number from being reassigned under the new TIRMP policy, NaijaRush advises you to:
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Keep your SIM active: Use it for a call, data, or any transaction at least every few months.
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Update your bank and online records: If you change your number, make sure you update it across all platforms.
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Do not abandon old numbers: If you have SIMs you're not using, either close the accounts tied to them or use them periodically.
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Report suspicious messages or calls: If you suspect fraud linked to a recycled number, report it to your service provider and the NCC.
NCC’s Vision for the Future
The TIRMP initiative is one of many steps the NCC is taking to modernize Nigeria’s telecom sector. The goal is to make telecom services safer, more efficient, and more accessible to all Nigerians.
By ensuring that phone numbers are properly managed, the NCC is hoping to boost consumer trust, enhance national security, and support the expansion of Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystems.
As the source at the NCC put it:
“By improving the integrity of mobile number management, the NCC hopes to strengthen user trust, enhance security, and support the growth of Nigeria’s digital and financial services sectors.”
Final Thoughts: What NaijaRush Thinks
The NCC’s decision to reclaim inactive phone numbers after 365 days is a timely and necessary move in today’s digital world. With increasing threats of SIM fraud, identity theft, and a growing demand for phone numbers, the new TIRMP policy will help keep Nigeria’s telecom space secure and efficient.
However, the public must be well informed. Nigerians need to understand how their phone numbers can affect their digital identity, banking security, and access to services. Regular awareness campaigns will be key to ensuring that no one loses their number unknowingly.
Stay informed, stay active, and stay secure.
