NCC, the regulatory authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria urges consumers of services to ignore fraudulent and misleading information circulating in some social media platforms, insinuating there is a planned shutdown of all telecom networks

Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, the regulatory authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria has dispelled insinuations in some social media platforms of an alleged plan to shut down all telecom networks with effect from Thursday, 23 February, 2023.

A statement by Mr Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs of NCC urged all telecom subscribers to "ignore the fraudulent and misleading information". The statement read in full:

"The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has been drawn to fraudulent and misleading information circulating in some social media platforms, insinuating there is a planned shutdown of all telecom networks and relevant ICT units, including online transfer facilities of the banks, with effect from today, 23 February, 2023.

"The Nigerian public, consumers of telecommunications services, and all bank customers are advised to ignore these or similar messages that insinuate deliberate network shutdown or disruption of services in the Nigerian telecom network.

"These malicious and subversive messages originated and are being circulated by fraudsters and unscrupulous elements in the society with the intent to cause chaos and panic among the populace.

"The Commission has received unequivocal assurances from all the service providers to the effect that all the network services are currently in optimal performance, and will not witness any deliberate shutdown or disruptions, especially at this very crucial period of general elections in the country.

"Therefore, all users of telecommunications and banking services utilizing network facilities are assured of continued optimal service delivery before, during, and after the general elections in Nigeria," the statement concluded.