SIM Swap Service has Resumed as Telcos Migrates to NINAuth Portal

The SIM swap service has resumed in Nigeria after being unavailable for about three weeks. This service was temporarily stopped because mobile network operators (telcos) were moving to a new verification system called the NINAuth portal, managed by the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC). The NIMC made this change to improve the security and speed of how people’s identities are checked when they use SIM cards on their phones.

The NIMC announced on Sunday that Nigerians can now use the SIM swap service again through their mobile network providers like MTN and Airtel. These companies confirmed the service is back and thanked the NIMC for their support during the move to the new portal. MTN encouraged anyone having trouble with the service to visit their nearest service centre for help. Airtel also apologized for earlier confusion and said the system is now working well.

This update is important because, since early July, millions of Nigerians could not do activities involving SIM cards, such as swapping SIMs, registering new ones, or replacing old SIM cards. This happened because all these processes require real-time identity checks through the NIMC’s system. The migration to the NINAuth portal caused unexpected technical problems that paused these services nationwide. People faced difficulties using their mobile lines for communication, banking transactions, and digital payments during this period.

It is important to note that even though the SIM swap service has resumed, other SIM-related services like new SIM activation and replacement are still not available. So, while you can swap SIM cards now, Nigerians cannot yet buy or replace SIM cards until the full system migration is complete and smooth.

The NINAuth platform was introduced by the NIMC in May 2025. It is a modern system that uses web and mobile technology to verify people’s identities safely and quickly. The goal is to better protect personal information and make it easier for people to prove who they are when using government or telecom services. The platform is now used for identity checks in various government departments, not just for telecoms.

The move to use the NINAuth portal is part of a larger government effort that started in December 2020. Since then, all SIM cards in Nigeria must be linked to a person’s National Identification Number (NIN) to reduce fraud and improve digital trust. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) explains that verifying mobile users helps fight cybercrime and encourages people to take part in digital banking, online shopping, and mobile money services.

Telecom industry leaders, including the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), announced the transition to the new system and acknowledged the challenges. They assured the public that they are working closely with the NIMC, NCC, and other bodies to fix issues quickly and restore all SIM-related services fully. ALTON advised people to delay visiting telecom centres for SIM services until the technical hurdles are resolved.

The SIM swap service has resumed for Nigerian mobile users, marking the first step in bringing back full SIM card services. The telcos migration to the NINAuth portal aims to make verifying identity safer and more efficient across the country. However, services like SIM activation and replacement remain paused as the system continues to stabilize. Subscribers are encouraged to be patient and seek help directly at service centres if they experience delays or problems with swapping SIM cards.

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