Nigerian telecommunications companies temporarily discontinue SIM services in coordination with NIMC's platform transition process.
In a significant development, all major telecom operators in Nigeria have temporarily suspended SIM-related services following a nationwide technical migration initiated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) [1][3][5]. The disruption affects crucial operations such as activations, swaps, replacements, and mobile number portability, impacting millions of subscribers across the country [1][3][5].
The migration, as explained by NIMC, is intended to improve the security and efficiency of the national identity verification process [6]. However, the delicate balance between digital infrastructure upgrades and user experience has proven to be challenging, leading to technical difficulties during the integration process [4].
As of early July 2025, no firm timeline has been provided for the full restoration of these services [2]. While NIMC claims to have restored some National Identification Number (NIN) verification functionalities, issues persist with SIM registration and related mobile services, particularly for new activations and number retrieval. Users continue to experience failed requests and app instability, indicating unresolved technical problems [2].
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) announced the disruption and apologized for the inconvenience, emphasizing their commitment to regulatory compliance [1][3]. ALTON and other industry stakeholders have advised subscribers to defer SIM-related transactions until the technical challenges are fully resolved [1][3].
The current situation highlights the delicate balance between digital infrastructure upgrades and user experience in Nigeria, where SIM services play a crucial role in financial access, communication, and national security measures such as SIM-NIN integration [2]. Efforts to resolve these issues are ongoing, but subscribers should anticipate continued disruption in SIM services until the technical migration and integration issues are fully addressed [1][2][3].
| Aspect | Status as of Early July 2025 | |---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | SIM-related services | Temporarily suspended (activations, swaps, replacements, portability) | | Cause | NIMC platform migration and integration difficulties | | Operators involved | All major Nigerian telcos (MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9Mobile) | | Restoration timeline | No specific timeline announced yet | | Partial system recovery | Some NIN verification restored, but full SIM services remain impaired | | User advice | Avoid SIM-related activities until further notice |
This disruption underscores the importance of seamless digital infrastructure in today's connected world. As the migration progresses, users are encouraged to stay informed and follow updates from ALTON and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the latest developments.
In the face of difficulties arising from the integration of new telecoms technology during the national identity verification process migration, there's an increased need for robust mobile infrastructure security. While the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria emphasizes regulatory compliance, subscribers are advised to postpone SIM-related transactions until the technical challenges have been resolved, ensuring a seamless prioritization of user experience over digital infrastructure upgrades.
