Telecommunication giants MTN and Airtel have resumed SIM swap and registration services across Nigeria after a nationwide disruption that left millions of subscribers stranded. The operators attributed the downtime to a migration process within the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)’s verification system, a critical infrastructure for linking SIMs to National Identification Numbers (NINs).
SIM-related services, including swaps, replacements, and activations, are now back online for customers of MTN and Airtel in Nigeria. The two major telecom operators confirmed the update on Sunday, July 21, following a disruption caused by NIMC’s ongoing migration to a new verification platform.
MTN Nigeria, through its MTN Support account on X, announced:
“SIM swaps have now resumed. We can confirm that NIMC services are fully operational and appreciate their support in the migration to a new platform for NIN verification services for the telecommunications industry.”
The telecom provider acknowledged the impact of the downtime and urged affected customers to visit the nearest service centres for resolution.
Airtel Nigeria also issued a statement via social media, clarifying the status of the NIMC portal:
“The NIMC PORTAL is up and running. We regret earlier messages suggesting otherwise. We are sorry for the delay and are addressing the issue. We’ll update customers once resolved. We value our partnership with the NIMC and value your patience.”
While other major operators such as Glo and 9mobile have yet to issue formal updates, NIMC has reposted MTN and Airtel’s announcements via its official X handle, indicating that access to its NIN verification system has resumed across multiple networks.
Both MTN and Airtel are encouraging customers still experiencing challenges to visit walk-in service centres for prompt assistance and have thanked users for their patience during the downtime.
Background to the Disruption
Earlier in July, a nationwide service blackout left millions of telecom subscribers unable to carry out essential SIM services. The issue was traced to the temporary unavailability of NIMC’s NIN verification infrastructure, which was undergoing a migration aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s digital identity system.
The NIN verification system is integral to SIM registration and swap procedures, as it validates the identity of users in line with the Federal Government’s SIM-NIN integration policy.
Following several deadline extensions, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) completed the nationwide SIM-NIN linkage exercise in September 2024. All unlinked SIMs were subsequently deactivated. Since then, it has become mandatory to present a valid NIN for any SIM-related service, making access to NIMC’s system essential for telecom operators.
What This Means for African MSMEs
For micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Nigeria, particularly those that rely on mobile connectivity for business transactions, customer communications, or digital operations,the resumption of SIM services is a significant relief. Entrepreneurs and employees who were unable to swap SIMs, replace damaged cards, or register new lines can now proceed with these services, ensuring business continuity.
As the digital economy expands across Africa, efficient identity verification remains a cornerstone for inclusive and secure access to mobile and internet services. MSMEs are advised to ensure all business-related lines remain compliant with SIM-NIN policies to avoid disruptions.
