Telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria, has announced the closure of its offices across the country today, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The company made the announcement in a notice titled “Shop Closure” via its X handle.
The notice reads, “Yello customer, 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.”
While the notice did not specify the reason for the closure or when the offices would reopen, it comes amid a tense climate in Nigeria. There is speculation that the closure might be related to the upcoming nationwide protests planned by Nigerian youths, who are set to demonstrate against the country’s economic situation.
The protests are scheduled to take place from Thursday, August 1, to Wednesday, August 10.
Adding to the tension, aggrieved customers recently stormed MTN offices across the country to protest the blocking of their SIM cards.
MTN had blocked some mobile lines ahead of the July 31 deadline for the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage mandated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The blockage affected many subscribers, leading to widespread discontent and protests at the company’s outlets.
At the MTN office in the FESTAC area of Lagos, some angry subscribers, frustrated by the blocking of their phone numbers, violently tore down the company’s iron fence.
In response to the outrage, the NCC intervened and ordered telecommunication operators to reconnect all phone lines that were disconnected over the NIN-SIM verification exercise.
The commission stated that the reactivation is for a limited period to allow affected consumers to properly link their NINs to their SIMs.
MTN Nigeria’s decision to close its offices today comes at a critical time, as the country braces for large-scale protests and continues to deal with the fallout from the SIM blockages.
The company’s move to support customers via digital channels highlights the growing reliance on digital communication in times of crisis.