Millions of mobile phone users in Nigeria are currently unable to register new SIM cards or carry out SIM-related services such as SIM swaps and replacements. This follows a major disruption across all mobile networks caused by the migration of telecommunications operators to a new identity verification platform mandated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the body representing all telecom service providers in the country, confirmed the development on Tuesday. The association explained that the disruption is temporary but nationwide, and is already affecting millions of subscribers who rely on such services for communication, business, and access to digital services.
According to ALTON, the transition to the new NIMC platform is part of efforts to improve the integrity and efficiency of identity management in the country. However, the process has come with unexpected technical issues that have disrupted real-time identity verification, which is a key requirement for SIM-related activities such as SIM registration, replacement, mobile number portability (MNP), and the activation of new lines.
In a statement released to the public, ALTON noted, “While the new platform is intended to enhance the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, unfortunately, the transition has temporarily impacted the ability of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to deliver seamless SIM-related services. During this period, MNOs will not be able to support SIM swap, SIM replacement, activation of new subscribers, and other SIM-related services.”
The association added that operators are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other relevant authorities to address the integration issues. ALTON also apologised to Nigerians for the inconvenience and advised customers to suspend any plans to visit service centres for SIM-related transactions until further notice.
“We kindly advise subscribers to postpone visits to service centres for SIM-related transactions until further notice. ALTON will continue to provide timely updates as the situation evolves and remains committed to ensuring the delivery of secure, reliable, and high-quality telecommunications services to all Nigerians,” the statement added.
The migration comes amid efforts by the federal government to ensure that all mobile lines in Nigeria are linked to the National Identification Number (NIN) to improve national security and streamline digital identity verification. Over the past few years, Nigerians have been required to submit their NIN to telecom providers, and failure to do so has led to the deactivation of some SIMs.
However, this latest disruption adds to the growing challenges faced by telecom subscribers in the country, who already contend with issues such as network outages, data service interruptions, and customer service delays.
Experts have warned that if not quickly resolved, the current disruption could have broader impacts, especially on financial services that depend on mobile identity verification, as well as sectors such as e-commerce, logistics, and mobile banking.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their frustration. Some users shared that they were unable to retrieve lost lines or register new SIM cards for use in businesses or emergency communication. Others raised concerns over the potential impact on critical services that rely on SIM cards, such as two-factor authentication, mobile transfers, and remote verification for banking and government services.
A telecom engineer working with a major operator who preferred not to be named said the issue lies in the integration between the NIMC platform and the telcos’ internal systems. “The new platform is supposed to improve accuracy and speed, but the integration is more complex than expected. We’re seeing errors and mismatches in real-time data verification, which makes it unsafe to proceed with SIM registrations or swaps until it’s resolved,” the source explained.
Despite the inconvenience, telecom operators have urged Nigerians to remain patient, assuring that all parties involved are working round the clock to restore full service as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, consumer rights groups are calling on NIMC and NCC to ensure a smooth transition and avoid future disruptions by conducting proper testing before enforcing new systems. They argue that while digital identity reforms are important, implementation must not come at the expense of millions of users who depend on mobile services daily.
As of the time of this report, there is no official timeline for the resolution of the issue, but ALTON promised to keep subscribers informed as progress is made.
