The National Identity Management Commission (Nimc.) has temporarily suspended SIM card registration and related processes nationwide as it undertakes a major upgrade of its identity management infrastructure. This development, announced earlier this week, has drawn significant attention from telecom operators, businesses, and citizens alike due to its wide-reaching implications.

According to NIMC, the pause is necessary to facilitate the migration of its National Identity Database to a new, more robust identity management platform. This upgrade is aimed at enhancing data security, improving system performance, and ensuring better integration across government agencies and private sector stakeholders that rely on national identity services. The new platform is expected to address longstanding challenges related to identity verification, duplication of records, and interoperability.

Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General of NIMC, emphasised that the migration is critical to achieving the agency’s goal of creating a more secure, inclusive, and reliable national identity system. She assured the public that the process is being handled with utmost care to ensure data integrity and system stability.

The suspension directly affects telecom operators’ ability to process new SIM registrations, SIM swaps, and updates that require National Identification Numbers (NIN). Since linking SIM cards to NINs is a regulatory requirement aimed at enhancing national security and curbing criminal activity, this temporary halt has caused operational disruptions for mobile service providers and consumers needing urgent SIM-related services.

Telecom operators have urged NIMC to expedite the migration process to minimise service disruptions. Meanwhile, customers attempting to register new SIMs or update their records have been advised to exercise patience and await official communication on when services will resume.

The migration to a modern identity management platform, once completed, promises several benefits such as;

• Enhanced Security: The upgraded system will provide stronger safeguards against identity theft, fraud, and unauthorised access to sensitive data.
• Improved Efficiency: Faster processing times for identity verification and integration with third-party services are expected.
• Better User Experience: Citizens should experience fewer errors and delays when enrolling for NIN or accessing identity-linked services.
• Stronger Integration: The platform will enable smoother data sharing with key agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and telecom operators.

Industry experts have welcomed the move, noting that modernising national identity infrastructure is essential for Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions. However, they stress the importance of timely execution to prevent extended disruptions that could affect millions of mobile users and businesses.

Consumer advocacy groups have called for transparent communication from both NIMC and telecom operators. They argue that citizens should be kept informed on progress, expected timelines, and interim measures to address urgent SIM-related needs during the suspension.

NIMC has not provided a specific date for completion of the migration but has committed to providing regular updates. Telecom operators are working closely with the agency to ensure a smooth transition and to prepare for the resumption of SIM registration services.

In the interim, citizens are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and avoid falling victim to fraudsters who may exploit the temporary halt to offer unauthorised registration services.

While the temporary halt in SIM registration presents short-term challenges, it underscores the government’s commitment to building a secure and efficient national identity ecosystem. If executed successfully, the upgraded platform could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s identity management landscape, benefiting individuals, businesses, and the broader economy.

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