The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced a temporary disruption of SIM-related services across all mobile networks in the country, including here in Rivers State.
According to ALTON, the interruption stems from the ongoing migration to a new identity verification platform mandated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The change affects essential operations such as SIM registration, SIM swaps and replacements, and mobile number portability (MNP).
In a statement released Tuesday, ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo explained that the platform upgrade has presented unforeseen technical challenges, impacting service delivery nationwide.
“While the new platform is aimed at improving the efficiency and security of identity management in Nigeria, the transition has unfortunately affected mobile network operators’ ability to provide seamless SIM-related services,” Adebayo said.
What This Means for Subscribers
During this period, subscribers will not be able to carry out SIM swaps, replacements, new activations, or related services at service centres across the country, including in Port Harcourt and the South-South region.
ALTON says its member telecom companies are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other regulatory agencies to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
Adebayo offered apologies to millions of subscribers whose daily communication, business, and digital services may be affected, advising users to postpone visits to customer service centres for SIM issues until the migration is complete.
“We sincerely apologise for the disruption and the inconvenience caused. Subscribers are advised to remain patient as efforts are underway to resolve the situation,” he stated.
Assurance of Continued Support
Despite the temporary setback, ALTON has reiterated its commitment to delivering secure, high-quality telecom services, promising to keep the public informed with updates as the transition progresses.
