The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced a temporary disruption to SIM-related services across all mobile networks in the country.
This service interruption stems from a recent directive issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), requiring mobile network operators (MNOs) to migrate to a newly introduced identity verification platform. The migration process, which directly affects real-time identity verification, has led to unexpected technical difficulties, impacting nationwide services such as SIM registration, SIM swap, SIM replacement, and mobile number portability (MNP).
While the new system is designed to improve the security and efficiency of Nigeria’s identity management framework, the current transition phase is limiting the MNOs’ ability to carry out essential SIM-related operations.
As a result, MNOs will temporarily be unable to process new SIM activations, carry out SIM swaps or replacements, or complete other related tasks until the technical challenges are resolved.
ALTON assured the public that its members are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other relevant authorities to resolve the integration issues swiftly and restore full service functionality.
The association expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to millions of Nigerians who rely on these services for communication and business operations. Subscribers are advised to defer visits to service centers for SIM-related transactions until further notice.
ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory compliance and to providing secure, dependable, and high-quality telecommunications services. The association promised to keep the public updated on developments and thanked Nigerians for their patience and understanding during this period.
