Millions of telecom subscribers across Nigeria are currently unable to access SIM-related services, including SIM swaps, replacements, and new activations, following a technical disruption linked to a platform migration ordered by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday that the disruption affects all mobile network operators (MNOs) in the country and is a direct result of a mandated transition to a new identity verification platform by NIMC.
According to ALTON, the migration, which is intended to improve the security and efficiency of national identity verification, has introduced unexpected technical challenges, halting the ability of mobile networks to carry out real-time verification processes required for SIM registration, number portability, and other essential services.
“During this period, MNOs will not be able to support SIM swaps, SIM replacements, activation of new subscribers, and other SIM-related services,” the association stated.
The disruption has significant implications for subscribers who depend on SIM-related services for communication, business operations, and digital access.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and sincerely apologize for the disruption. We remain fully committed to regulatory compliance and will continue to provide timely updates,” ALTON noted.
While no specific timeline was provided for the restoration of full services, ALTON reiterated its commitment to delivering secure, reliable, and high-quality telecom services across the country.
The development comes amid Nigeria’s broader efforts to harmonize digital identity across sectors, with the NIMC platform playing a critical role in identity verification tied to SIM card ownership under the ongoing SIM-NIN integration policy.