Nationwide SIM Services Disrupted as Nigeria Transitions to New Identity Verification Platform, Operators Warn of Delays

 

Telecommunications subscribers across Nigeria are bracing for disruptions in SIM-related services, as mobile network operators announce a temporary suspension of key services due to a major systems upgrade mandated by the government.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has revealed that the ongoing transition to a new identity verification platform introduced by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is causing significant operational challenges. As a result, services such as SIM swaps, replacements, new SIM activations, and other related functions have been paused across all networks nationwide.

This announcement was made through an official statement jointly signed by ALTON Chairman, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, and the association’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Damian Udeh, on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025. The leadership of ALTON emphasized that the directive to transition came from NIMC, and although the move is aimed at strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s identity management system, it has inadvertently created complications for mobile service providers.

According to Adebayo, the telecom sector has been grappling with unexpected technical difficulties following the directive. These issues, he said, have had a direct impact on the availability and efficiency of SIM services across the country. The transition involves migrating from the old identity verification infrastructure to a more robust and secure system developed by NIMC. This change, while forward-looking, is not without short-term consequences.

The new platform, NIMC claims, is designed to enhance security and streamline verification processes. It is expected to offer faster, more reliable identity checks once fully operational. However, until the integration process is completed, mobile network operators have been rendered unable to process basic services that rely on real-time identity confirmation.

Subscribers seeking to carry out SIM swaps due to stolen or damaged phones, activate new lines, or perform any action requiring identity validation are currently unable to do so. This has triggered concern among users, particularly businesses and individuals who rely on consistent connectivity for their daily operations.

Adebayo acknowledged the inconvenience being experienced by millions of Nigerians and urged the public to remain patient during the ongoing migration process. He assured that ALTON, in collaboration with its member telecom firms, is actively working with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and NIMC to resolve the integration challenges as swiftly as possible.

He stressed that the pause in services is a temporary measure, taken to ensure that the switch to the new system is executed safely and effectively. “We regret the inconvenience and urge subscribers to delay SIM-related requests until further notice,” Adebayo advised.

Efforts are ongoing behind the scenes, as technical teams from various mobile network operators are reportedly engaging with NIMC’s development team to fix the issues that arose during the implementation phase. While no definite timeline has been provided for the completion of the upgrade, ALTON has pledged to keep subscribers informed with timely updates.

The telecom association reiterated its commitment to maintaining a secure, reliable, and high-quality telecommunications environment. Adebayo expressed optimism that once the new identity verification platform is fully integrated, users will benefit from enhanced service delivery and greater security of personal data.

This development comes at a time when Nigeria’s telecom industry is under increasing pressure to align with global standards in data security and digital identity management. The federal government, through NIMC, has been pushing for a more centralized and secure approach to citizen verification, especially in light of rising cybersecurity threats and fraud.

The migration project is part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at integrating national identity across sectors including banking, telecommunications, and public service delivery. While this vision is expected to modernize governance and service accessibility in the long run, the initial disruptions are serving as a reminder of the complexity involved in nationwide digital infrastructure upgrades.

As of now, Nigerians are advised to postpone any SIM-related service requests and await further announcements from their respective telecom providers. ALTON has called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, network providers, and the public, to work collaboratively in supporting the success of this transition.

With millions of subscribers affected across multiple networks, the coming days will be crucial in determining how swiftly normal services can resume. Until then, patience remains essential as Nigeria navigates this important technological shift.