Lagos, Nigeria – July 29, 2025
– After weeks of nationwide disruptions, Nigerian telecommunications operators
have officially restored full access to SIM-related services including new
registrations, SIM swaps, and National Identification Number (NIN) validations.
The development follows the successful migration to a new, more secure identity
verification system by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Leading telecom companies such as Airtel Nigeria
and Globacom confirmed the restoration in separate statements, assuring
subscribers that all affected services are now operational across their
platforms.
“Dear Valued Customers, we are delighted to share that
our SIM-related services, including SIM registration, swaps, NIN verification,
and other related requests, are now fully operational,” Airtel Nigeria posted
on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, July 28. “We appreciate your patience and
understanding during the scheduled update.”
Similarly, Globacom urged customers to visit
its service outlets nationwide, stating, “We are pleased to inform you that
updates on the NIMC platform have been completed, and SIM-related services are
now back.”
The disruption, which began on July 2, 2025,
was first announced by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications
Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). The group cited a “technical migration” to a
more efficient and secure NIN verification portal, temporarily halting
essential services such as SIM card purchases, number porting, and identity
validations.
The situation affected millions of mobile users across
Nigeria, with widespread complaints from individuals and businesses unable to
access vital communication and digital services. The downtime also impacted
onboarding processes for mobile banking, fintech apps, and digital wallets, all
of which require real-time identity verification.
According to NIMC, the move to the new NINAuth
portal was aimed at improving the security, speed, and accuracy
of identity verification services. The portal plays a crucial role in
confirming the identity of individuals accessing telecom services and other
critical digital infrastructures.
The exercise aligns with the federal government’s
digital security initiative, which began in December 2020, mandating the
linkage of all SIM cards with NINs. The Nigerian Communications Commission
(NCC) has repeatedly emphasized the importance of this linkage in reducing
fraud, enhancing financial inclusion, and improving trust in the country’s
fast-growing digital economy.
ALTON also released a statement reiterating the
commitment of telecom providers to regulatory compliance and digital
transformation efforts.
“We understand the inconvenience this may have caused
and sincerely apologise for the disruption. This upgrade was necessary to
enhance the national identity verification system and support secure access to
telecom and financial services,” the association stated.
With full services now restored, Nigerians can once
again perform all SIM-related tasks including buying new SIMs, transferring
phone numbers between networks, and validating their NINs.
Industry observers say the successful completion of
the migration marks a significant step toward a more secure digital identity
infrastructure in Nigeria, enabling smoother user verification across sectors
such as telecommunications, banking, and government services.
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