The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has advised Nigerians to direct all issues related to NIN-SIM linkage and verification to their respective telecommunications service providers, following the successful migration to its new identity verification platform, NINAuth.
The directive came in an official statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC. The Commission confirmed that all mobile network operators in Nigeria have now fully transitioned to the NINAuth platform, marking a major technological milestone in the country’s digital identity management framework.
“The Commission wishes to assure the general public that the Verification and Authentication Service platforms are functional and accessible to all,” the statement read.
“However, any issue being experienced by NIN holders on new SIM registration, SIM swap, SIM migration, Welcome Back SIM, and other related services should be directed to the telcos for immediate resolution.”
The NINAuth platform is designed to enhance both the security and efficiency of Nigeria’s identity verification processes. NIMC described the platform as a significant leap forward, offering features that give citizens more control over their personal information while strengthening data protection mechanisms.
“The NINAuth platform enhances data protection, gives control of personal data to the owners, offers seamless verification, and provides convenient sign-on access to services,” the Commission noted.
NIMC also emphasized that the launch of NINAuth aligns with its broader strategy to reinforce the digital identity ecosystem and enable both government and private-sector entities to conduct secure, real-time identity checks.
Earlier this month, July 2025, millions of mobile subscribers across Nigeria were unable to access key SIM-related services such as SIM swaps, replacements, and new activations, due to a technical disruption linked to NIMC’s mandated platform migration.
Telecom operators, including MTN and Airtel, reported that the migration caused unexpected downtime as they adapted to the new system. This temporarily halted their ability to perform real-time identity verifications necessary for SIM-related transactions.
However, both MTN and Airtel have since confirmed the restoration of full service, following the completion of the migration process.
The NIN-SIM linkage initiative, introduced several years ago and made mandatory in 2020, is part of the Federal Government’s effort to improve national security, combat fraud, and streamline digital identity verification.
NIMC reiterated that with the successful integration of the NINAuth infrastructure, telecommunications operators now have the tools needed to process SIM-related requests efficiently. The Commission also restated that its Verification and Authentication Service remains fully operational and accessible for both individual and organizational use.
