Why SIM Services Are Down Nationwide – NIMC Platform Migration & Telecom Suspension Explained (July 2025)
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| Why SIM Services Are Down Nationwide – NIMC Platform Migration & Telecom Suspension Explained (July 2025) |
If you’ve recently tried to swap your SIM, register a new one, or retrieve a lost line in Nigeria—and were unsuccessful—you’re not alone. Telecom companies across Nigeria have temporarily suspended SIM services due to a nationwide disruption linked to a major system upgrade by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
This post breaks down what’s happening, why it affects SIM services, and when normal operations are expected to resume.
What SIM Services Are Currently Affected?
All major telecom providers (MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile) have suspended the following services since early July 2025:
- SIM swap (change of number to new SIM card)
- SIM activation for new lines
- SIM upgrades or replacements
- SIM-NIN linkage and updates
What Caused the Suspension?
The core issue lies in technical changes being made to NIMC’s NIN verification platform, which all telecoms rely on to verify the identity of SIM users.
According to the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the migration of NIMC systems to a new architecture has made it temporarily impossible to access identity verification services. Without NIN verification, telcos cannot legally perform any SIM-related task.
Statement from ALTON:
“Due to the ongoing system upgrade by NIMC, SIM registration and activation have been paused nationwide. We are working closely with NIMC and NCC to resolve the issue.”
When Will SIM Services Resume?
There is no official date yet, but insiders expect the system migration to be completed by mid or late July 2025. Until then:
- No SIM swaps or new activations can be processed
- Queues are building up at service centers
- Users are advised to delay non-emergency visits to SIM service points
Why Is NIN Required for SIM Services?
Since the SIM-NIN linkage policy was introduced in 2021, all SIM registrations must be tied to a National Identification Number (NIN). This helps:
- Prevent identity theft
- Track mobile fraud/crimes
- Strengthen national security
Without NIN verification access, telcos cannot proceed with user verification, hence the suspension.
Impact on Nigerians
This issue has caused:
- Delays for those trying to retrieve lost lines
- Frustration for people switching phones or providers
- Risk of business disruption for agents, SMEs, and banks relying on SIM services
This disruption highlights the dependency of digital services on identity infrastructure in Nigeria. While the upgrade by NIMC may bring improved speed and reliability in the future, millions of Nigerians are currently cut off from critical telecom services.
If your SIM service is on hold:
- Be patient and avoid repeated visits to service centers
- Follow updates from NCC and NIMC
- Share this post to inform others about what’s really going on
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