Frustration is mounting across Nigeria as subscribers struggle to recover lost SIM cards or register new ones due to a persistent NIMC network glitch.
Telecom users say the issue, linked to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has dragged on for days, crippling access to essential services.
At the heart of the disruption is the mandatory verification of the National Identification Number (NIN), which must be approved by NIMC before SIM registration or swaps can proceed. However, network providers say the system has been repeatedly unavailable.
Registration centres reportedly display the message: “NIMC information temporarily unavailable for subscribers,” leaving many stranded.
For victims of phone theft, the consequences have been severe.
A subscriber, Tolu Adekunle, said he has been unable to retrieve his SIM since his phone was stolen last week, effectively locking him out of his bank accounts.
“I have been coming here every day, and it’s the same response — the NIN network is down. I can’t access my money or even feed my family because I need my SIM for OTPs,” he said.
Another user, Jumoke Adeleke, described the experience as distressing, saying she has remained cut off from communication for over a week.
“It’s frustrating. I’ve never faced anything like this. I can’t even retrieve my SIM because of NIMC issues,” she said.
In Lagos Island, Tochukwu Chigozie questioned the competence of the commission’s leadership, urging the Federal Government to intervene urgently.
“This situation is unbearable. My life is on hold because I cannot retrieve my line,” he said.
Efforts to reach NIMC through its official contact lines and customer service channels were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The disruption highlights growing concerns over Nigeria’s dependence on centralised digital identity systems, especially when technical failures leave millions cut off from financial and communication services.
