The Digest:
In the silence between signals, millions of Nigerians are now stranded, cut off not by distance, but by digital identity. According to ALTON, the telecom industry’s umbrella body, SIM registration and swap services have been suspended nationwide due to a migration to a new identity verification platform mandated by NIMC. The shift, meant to strengthen security, has instead triggered technical chaos.
In moments like these, we are reminded how fragile access can be in a country so dependent on digital connectivity.
Key points:
- Telcos have suspended all SIM registration, swap, and MNP services nationwide
- The disruption is due to a system migration to NIMC’s new identity verification platform
- ALTON says the transition is affecting real-time identity validation services
- SIM activations, replacements, and number porting are temporarily disabled
- Operators are collaborating with NCC and NIMC to resolve the issue
- Subscribers are urged to postpone visits to service centres
- ALTON promises timely updates and apologises for the inconvenience
Sources:
BusinessDay, Premium Times
