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By Osasómé C.O and Nana Theresa Timothy
Widespread disruption hits telecom and financial services
Millions of Nigerians are experiencing major disruptions in SIM-related telecom services. Reason: Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are grappling with a nationwide system outage caused by the transition to the new National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) verification platform.
RELATED: NIMC, NCC announced joint efforts to enhance NIN-SIM linkage processes
The outage has paralyzed SIM swaps, replacements, new activations, and mobile number portability (MNP), leaving both individuals and businesses stranded. Even worse, the disruption is also affecting banking services. Many Nigerians rely on their SIMs for authentication in financial transactions.
ALTON Responds: We Are Working to Resolve the Crisis
In a joint statement issued by Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and Damian Udeh, its Publicity Secretary, the group acknowledged the technical setbacks caused by the migration.
“The directive from NIMC to migrate to a new identity verification platform has introduced unforeseen technical challenges. We are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other relevant authorities to resolve the integration issues as quickly as possible,” the statement read.
ALTON stressed that the new verification platform is ultimately intended to enhance identity management. But the current transition period has severely impacted the ability of network operators to deliver seamless SIM-related services.
Advisory to Subscribers: Postpone SIM-Related Visits
Until the issues are resolved, ALTON is advising subscribers to postpone visits to telecom service centres for SIM-related transactions. ALTON expressed regrets over the inconvenience and assured the public that updates will be provided as progress is made.
“We understand the frustration this causes for millions who rely on mobile services for communication, business, and banking, Our priority is to restore normal service as soon as possible while ensuring regulatory compliance and national security objectives,” ALTON stated.
Why the Migration Matters: Toward a Unified Digital Identity
The NIMC verification platform is part of Nigeria’s broader effort to strengthen digital identity infrastructure across the country. The integration of telecom services with NIN (National Identification Number) systems is aimed at:
- Enhancing national security
- Reducing fraud in SIM ownership and banking
- Enabling more robust e-government services
However, the lack of real-time integration between mobile operators and the new system has led to severe service outages, highlighting the challenges of nationwide digital transformation without comprehensive transition planning.
What’s Next?
As millions wait for relief, telecom providers and regulatory bodies are under pressure to expedite the system fix and restore services across the country. Industry experts are calling for improved collaboration between NIMC and MNOs, as well as the development of redundancy protocols to prevent similar nationwide outages in the future.
For now, subscribers are encouraged to remain patient and stay tuned for official updates from ALTON and their respective network providers.
