The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) announced a nationwide disruption of SIM-related services. This temporary outage, affecting all mobile networks, stems from a mandated switch to a new identity verification platform by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
ALTON’s Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and Publicity Secretary, Damian Udeh, released a statement on July 1, 2025, detailing the issue. The migration to the new platform, intended to enhance identity management integrity, has encountered unforeseen technical challenges.
The transition has significantly impacted Mobile Network Operators’ ability to provide seamless SIM services. As a result, services like SIM swaps, replacements, and new activations are currently unavailable across Nigeria.
Adebayo emphasized that the new platform aims to improve both the efficiency and security of identity verification systems. However, the technical hurdles have temporarily halted critical SIM-related operations, affecting millions of subscribers.
ALTON is collaborating with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other relevant authorities to resolve the integration issues swiftly. The association assures the public that efforts are underway to restore full functionality as soon as possible.
Subscribers are urged to postpone any SIM-related requests until further notice to avoid inconvenience. ALTON expressed regret for the disruption and appreciates the public’s patience during this transition period.
The organization remains committed to delivering secure and high-quality telecommunications services across Nigeria. Updates on the situation will be provided as progress is made, according to Adebayo.
This disruption highlights the challenges of upgrading critical digital infrastructure in a rapidly growing telecom market. As Nigeria pushes for improved identity management, stakeholders are working to minimize the impact on mobile users nationwide.
