SIM Services Temporarily Disrupted Nationwide as NIMC Migrates Identity Platform

Mobile subscribers across Nigeria are facing a temporary halt to SIM-related services due to a system migration initiated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The disruption affects all mobile network operators and includes services such as SIM swaps, replacements, and new activations.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) announced the development on Tuesday, citing integration issues stemming from NIMC’s move to a new identity verification platform.

“The new platform aims to improve the integrity and efficiency of identity management systems,” ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo said in a joint statement with Publicity Secretary Damian Udeh.

Migration to New Identity System Behind the Downtime

According to ALTON, the NIMC’s system upgrade, while necessary has created unforseen technical issues that have disrupted SIM operations nationwide. This has left operators unable to process essential service

ALTON noted that it is working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other stakeholders to resolve the issue, but did not specify a timeframe for restoration.

What This Means for Users and Operators

For users, the disruption affects critical services like SIM replacements for lost or damaged lines, porting between networks, and activating new phone numbers—key tasks for both individuals and businesses.

For telecom operators, the downtime could affect customer satisfaction and onboarding metrics, especially at a time when competition in Nigeria’s telecom sector is intense and data usage continues to grow.

Subscribers have been advised to postpone SIM-related requests until further notice. ALTON pledged to provide timely updates and reiterated its commitment to reliable and secure telecom services