Nigeria's NINAuth Platform Fully Operational After Three-Week Disruptions

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has confirmed that all Nigerian telecommunications operators have completed their migration to the upgraded NINAuth verification platform, marking a critical phase in the country's digital identity infrastructure [1]. The platform, developed in-house by NIMC, replaces the previous system and aims to enhance data security, streamline service delivery, and grant users greater control over their identity information.

According to Lanre Yusuf, NIMC’s Director of IT/Identity Database, telecom operators including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile are now fully integrated into the new system [1]. The NINAuth platform supports real-time NIN verification, which is essential for SIM registration, swaps, replacements, and number porting. Dr. Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted that the transition is aligned with global data protection standards and aims to place control of identity data in the hands of citizens [1].

The migration, which began on June 26, 2025, faced technical challenges that led to widespread service disruptions. For over three weeks, telecom operators halted SIM-related services, affecting millions of users who were unable to register new SIMs, swap existing ones, or port numbers. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) attributed the outages to unforeseen integration issues with the new platform [1].

Consumer advocates raised concerns over the lack of public education and stakeholder engagement during the migration. Adeolu Ogunbanjo, president of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, criticized the absence of transparency, noting that NIN is a central component of digital services in Nigeria [1]. NIMC has since clarified that telecom operators, not the agency, are responsible for resolving issues related to new SIM registration, SIM swaps, or migrations, urging users to contact their respective providers directly [1].

The NINAuth platform introduces enhanced data privacy measures, including tokenisation, which requires user authorisation for each verification request. Unlike the previous system, where identities could be verified in the background, NINAuth ensures that citizens maintain direct control over their data [1]. The platform also supports integration with other systems through APIs, allowing broader use in sectors such as banking and immigration.

NIMC has partnered with IDEMIA Smart Identity to strengthen the system's biometric capabilities, reinforcing the integrity of Nigeria’s digital identity framework [1]. Despite the successful migration, the transition has highlighted the need for improved coordination between stakeholders and more robust communication with the public.

With the platform now expected to be fully operational by July 30, 2025, users can anticipate a return to normal SIM-related services. The NINAuth rollout represents a significant step toward a more secure and user-centric digital identity system in Nigeria.

Source: [1] NINAuth migration: Telcos now responsible for sim registration issues, NIMC confirms (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688b70d937e5483814e06941/)