Telecom operators have said the directive of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to transition to a new transition identity verification platform has led to subscriber identity module (SIM) related services disruption.
Acting under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the telcos said in a statement jointly endorsed by its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo and Publicity Secretary, Barr. Damian Udeh, said the development has caused service disruption.
“ALTON wishes to inform the general public, our valued subscribers, and all stakeholders of a temporary disruption affecting SIM-related services across all mobile networks in Nigeria.
“This disruption follows a recent directive from NIMC, mandating our Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) members to transition to a new identity verification platform. The migration process, which directly impacts real-time identity verification required for SIM registration, SIM replacement, Mobile Number Portability (MNP), and other related services, has introduced unforeseen technical challenges that are currently affecting service availability nationwide.
“While the new platform is intended to enhance the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, unfortunately, the transition has temporarily impacted the ability of MNOs to deliver seamless SIM-related services.
“During this period, MNOs will not be able to support SIM Swap, SIM replacement, activation of new subscribers and other SIM-related services.
“As responsible operators, ALTON and its member companies remain fully committed to regulatory compliance and are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other relevant authorities to resolve the integration issues as quickly as possible.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause to millions of subscribers who depend on these services for communication, business, and daily activities. We sincerely apologize for the disruption and kindly advise subscribers to postpone visits to service centers for SIM related transactions until further notice.
“ALTON will continue to provide timely updates as the situation evolves and remains committed to ensuring the delivery of secure, reliable, and high-quality telecommunications services to all Nigerians.
“We appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of the Nigerian public during this period,” the statement noted.
