How to Unblock Your SIM Card: Guidelines from Nigerian Telecom Companies

In response to the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) - SIM harmonisation exercise, Nigerian telecommunication companies have provided detailed steps for subscribers to unblock their SIM cards. This initiative aims to enhance the integrity of the national SIM registration database, which has caused temporary service disruptions for many users. To assist affected customers, here are the step-by-step instructions to restore connectivity:

Airtel:
- Dial *121#.
- Enter your eleven-digit NIN.
- A confirmation message will indicate that your Airtel SIM card has been successfully unbarred.
9mobile (EMTS):
- Dial 2008# to link your NIN.
Glo:
- Dial 109 followed by your NIN number (e.g., 10912345678901#).
- Follow the prompts to submit your NIN.
MTN:
- Visit nin.mtn.ng to check your NIN status.
- If not linked, proceed to link it. An OTP and NIN will be required.
- Once linked, your line will be automatically unbarred.
Smile:
- Send your NIN to customercare@smile.com.ng or call 07020444444.
- After providing consent and verifying your NIN, your line will be unbarred.
Spectranet:
- Call 8002345678 or email care@spectranet.com.ng to submit your NIN.
- Complete KYC verification at a Spectranet store.
- Alternatively, you can submit your NIN online, but you must finish the KYC process at a Spectranet store.
Ntel:
- Visit any Ntel store with your NIN.
- Your fingerprint will be used to verify your existing KYC profile.
- Upon verification and consent, your line will be updated and unbarred.

By following these guidelines, subscribers can quickly restore their services and ensure their SIM cards are properly registered in compliance with national regulations.