As more Nigerians move abroad in search of better opportunities, many are unaware of the risks of leaving their Nigerian SIM cards inactive.
What appears to be a harmless oversight has led to a growing number of SIM number recycling cases, which could expose former users to financial fraud and identity theft.
In Nigeria, SIM recycling is permitted by law. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), a SIM card that remains inactive for up to a year can legally be deactivated and reassigned to a new customer.
To help Nigerians avoid this risk while abroad, telecom giants MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9Mobile have introduced services that allow customers to retain their numbers even while they are not actively using them.
MTN: Keep My Number (KMN)
MTN offers a Keep My Number (KMN) service that allows prepaid customers to retain their numbers for up to three years, regardless of inactivity.
Subscription Costs:
- 1 year: ₦511 → Dial *365*1# or SMS “KMN1” to 36500
- 2 years: ₦819 → Dial *365*2# or SMS “KMN2” to 36500
- 3 years: ₦1,228 → Dial *365*3# or SMS “KMN3” to 36500
Once payment is confirmed, your number remains active for the selected period, ensuring it won’t be deactivated or recycled.
Glo: ALWAYS ON Plan
Glo’s ALWAYS ON plan helps users keep their lines active for a full year, even without using data, making calls, or sending messages.
To activate:
- Dial *777#, select the “ALWAYS ON” option, and follow the prompts.
- A one-time fee of ₦500 will be deducted from your main balance.
This is a great option for long-term travelers or those staying abroad for over 90 days.
9Mobile: Extended SIM Validity
9Mobile’s Extended SIM Validity service is available to both prepaid and postpaid users, enabling them to keep their SIM cards active for up to one year.
To activate:
- Recharge ₦500
- Text “1” to 539 or dial *539*1#
- To check status: dial *539#
This service helps avoid SIM deactivation and reassignment due to long periods of inactivity.
Many Nigerians assume that linking their SIM cards to their National Identification Number (NIN) prevents deactivation. However, a line can still be recycled due to inactivity, even if it’s linked to a NIN.
That’s why it’s essential to activate one of these SIM retention plans before travelling to maintain access to services tied to your Nigerian number, such as banking apps, email verification, and social media accounts.
