Nigerian telecom companies are currently facing SIM-related service outages as the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) ordered them to move to a new identity verification platform.
SIM swaps, replacements, and new activations have all been impacted, posing technical problems that have hampered real-time activities such as verification processes required for SIM registration and number porting.
As a result, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) stated that the disruption impacts all telecom operators in the country, and that the migration, as described by the NIMC, is designed to improve the security and efficiency of national identification verification.
According to recent Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) estimates, the West African nation had over 141 million active mobile lines in January 2025.
ALTON has acknowledged the impact on a large number of users and has requested for patience as it works with the NCC and other relevant institutions to find solutions.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and sincerely apologise for the disruption. We remain fully committed to regulatory compliance and will continue to provide timely updates,” said the association.
Share