NIMC Finalises NINAuth Migration, Instructs Nigerians to Contact Telcos for NIN-SIM Issues
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has officially announced the successful migration of all mobile network operators in Nigeria to its new digital identity verification platform, NINAuth. With this upgrade, NIMC has redirected all NIN-SIM linkage and verification issues to telecommunication service providers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, the Commission emphasised that the Verification and Authentication Service platforms are fully functional and accessible. However, individuals facing issues such as:
- New SIM registration
- SIM swap
- SIM migration
- Welcome back SIM
are now advised to contact their respective telcos directly for immediate resolution.
What is the NINAuth Platform?
The NINAuth (National Identity Number Authentication) platform represents a technological upgrade that significantly enhances data protection, improves the speed of verification, and gives NIN holders more control over their data.
According to NIMC, NINAuth offers:
- Enhanced data privacy
- Faster and seamless identity verification
- Secure and user-controlled data access
- Improved integration for telcos and service providers
The platform is a key part of NIMC’s efforts to build a robust digital identity ecosystem in Nigeria. It aims to streamline identity checks for both government agencies and private organisations, enabling safer and faster onboarding for essential services.
Why This Migration Matters
The migration to NINAuth follows a recent disruption in SIM-related services across Nigeria, which left millions of subscribers unable to complete:
- SIM activations
- SIM swaps
- Number portability
- Other verification processes
These issues stemmed from technical glitches during the migration process. However, major telcos like MTN and Airtel have now confirmed that they have fully resumed SIM services after successfully integrating the new system.
Federal Government’s Push for Digital Security
The NIN-SIM linkage initiative, first introduced by the Federal Government and made mandatory in 2020, is a core element of Nigeria’s digital security framework. The policy is designed to:
- Curb identity fraud
- Strengthen national security
- Enable secure digital service delivery
- Improve public sector efficiency
With the new NINAuth infrastructure now operational, telecom operators have all the tools necessary to handle identity-related transactions smoothly.
What This Means for Nigerians
If you’re a mobile subscriber in Nigeria experiencing any challenges with SIM registration, verification, or reconnection, NIMC says:
Go directly to your mobile service provider
Do not contact NIMC for SIM-related complaints
This move is expected to reduce bottlenecks, improve service delivery, and enhance real-time identity validation for digital services.
Conclusion
The full migration to the NINAuth platform marks a milestone in Nigeria’s digital identity journey. With telecom operators now in full control of SIM verification services, and NIMC’s platform providing secure, seamless, and scalable identity checks, the country is on a firmer path toward a digitally secure and efficient future.
