By Martin Ekpeke
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) announced today a temporary but widespread disruption affecting SIM services across all mobile networks in the country.
In a statement signed by Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of ALTON, and Barr. Damian Udeh, Publicity Secretary, the umbrella body representing all licensed telecom operators in Nigeria, said that, from new SIM activations to replacements and mobile number portability, a significant portion of essential telecommunication services have been impacted.
According to the statement, the root cause lies in a recent directive from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) that mandated all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to transition to a new identity verification platform.
ALTON noted that while this move is designed to bolster the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, the migration process has, unfortunately, introduced unforeseen technical challenges, which are directly affecting the real-time identity verification crucial for these SIM-related services.
Meanwhile, ALTON, representing all major MNOs, acknowledged the inconvenience this would cause millions of subscribers. “We understand the inconvenience this may cause to millions of subscribers who depend on these services for communication, business, and daily activities,” stated the association. They’ve advised subscribers to hold off on visiting service centers for SIM-related transactions until further notice.
Despite the disruption, ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory compliance. They’re working hand-in-hand with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other relevant authorities to resolve the integration issues as swiftly as possible.
For now, Nigeria waits patiently as the technical teams work tirelessly behind the scenes to iron out the kinks in this crucial digital transformation. The aim is a more secure and efficient identity management system for all, even if it means a short pause in some everyday mobile conveniences.