ALTON: Telephone subscribers can now replace lost SIM cards

Telephone subscribers with valid National Identification Numbers can now replace their lost or damaged SIM cards at any of the customer centres across the country, the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria has said.

The announcement is coming about two weeks after Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, had instructed the Nigerian Communications Commission to stop the sale of SIM cards pending an audit of the SIM registration database.

Many people who have lost or damaged their SIM cards have complained of the inability to get SIM swaps.

ALTON announced that subscribers were free to replace their lost or damaged SIM cards in a statement on Wednesday signed by its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and Publicity Secretary, Damian Udeh.

It stated that it had recognised the challenges experienced by customers that sought to replace or upgrade their SIM cards following the suspension of sale and activation of SIM cards.

The statement said, “We empathise with people who have been unable to reactivate their phone lines as a result of the suspension.

“Further to engagements with government on the matter, we are pleased to report that our members have been granted permission to carry out SIM replacement upon verification of the customer’s NIN.”

ALTON also said its members were working with the National Identity Management Commission to ensure seamless system connectivity for verification of NIN.