NIN MTN Nigeria: Telecommunications Company Closes Offices Nationwide

MTN Nigeria on Tuesday announced the closure of its shops across Nigeria, asking its customers to use its digital channels for any support they may need.

Although the company did not give any reason for the closure, this may not be unconnected with the eruption of violence at some of its shops on Monday as customers besieged its support centres to unbar their lines that have been blocked over NIN-SIM linkage issues.

Recall that millions of lines were barred by all telecom operators including Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile over the weekend in line with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

In a short notice to its subscribers posted on its Customer Care handle on X, MTN said:

“Please, be informed that our shops nationwide will be closed today, 30th July. We are available 24/7 to support you via our digital channels.”

The company, however, did not state if the shops would be reopened after today.

Violence at MTN’s shops

At MTN’s shop in Festac Lagos, subscribers seeking to unbar their lines became violent and destroyed the fence of the building.

Also at its shop in Maitama, Abuja, angry subscribers were reportedly banging and hitting the gate of the facility, and threatening that the planned nationwide protest would start from MTN’s premises.

In Oyo State, reports show that thousands of MTN users besieged the company’s Idi-Ape office in Ibadan, the State’s Capital, protesting the sudden blockage of their SIMs. Trending videos circulating online show crowds of frustrated customers sending MTN staff members home in response to the disruption.