Millions of mobile subscribers across Nigeria are currently unable to access SIM registration, replacement, or swap services due to a nationwide service disruption affecting all mobile network operators (MNOs).
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) confirmed on Tuesday that the disruption stems from an ongoing migration to a new identity verification platform, following a recent directive issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
According to ALTON, the migration has introduced unexpected technical difficulties, directly impacting services that rely on real-time identity verification, including new SIM activations, SIM swaps, replacements, and Mobile Number Portability (MNP).
“While the new platform aims to strengthen the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, the transition has unfortunately disrupted SIM-related services across all mobile networks,” ALTON said in a statement.The group emphasized that all telecom operators are actively collaborating with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other relevant stakeholders to resolve the technical integration issues and restore normal service delivery. Until the issue is resolved, telcos are unable to process:
- SIM swaps and replacements
- New SIM activations
- MNP (Mobile Number Portability) requests
- Other SIM-related functions
ALTON advised subscribers to postpone visits to customer service centres for SIM-related matters and apologized for the inconvenience.
“We sincerely regret the temporary disruption and assure Nigerians that we are working diligently to resolve it. Updates will be provided as the situation evolves,” the statement added.
The new identity platform, once fully operational, is expected to enhance data integrity, security, and efficiency in Nigeria’s telecom and digital identity systems.