A nationwide digital blackout has struck essential services across Nigeria following a severe server outageat the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), affecting millions of citizens who rely on the agency’s systems for SIM registration, banking transactions, and identity verification.
The outage, now in its third day, has paralysed telecom operators, halted financial transactions, and rendered the NIMC mobile app unusable. The app displays a vague error message: “Something went wrong on our server. Do not panic. Our engineers are currently working on it.”
No formal update has been issued by NIMC as of press time. The commission’s website remains offline, and its verified social media handles have gone silent — a lack of communication that has left Nigerians frustrated and confused.
Economic and Social Fallout
In Lagos, the impact has been immediate. At Computer Village in Ikeja, registration agents and SIM vendors say they have been forced to suspend operations due to the NIN-linked verification failure.
“I’ve lost over ₦30,000 in sales just today,” said Oluwaseun Ayeni, a SIM registration agent. “Customers are blaming us, but it’s the NIMC system that’s down.”
The crisis has also disrupted banking operations. Lagos resident Patricia Aghedo told us that she has been unable to access her funds due to a NIN mismatch flagged by her bank — which has been unable to verify her identity due to the outage.
“My bank says they can’t process withdrawals without NIN verification. My kids haven’t eaten since yesterday. What are we supposed to do?” she said tearfully.
Security and Data Concerns
Cybersecurity experts have expressed serious concern over the outage, warning that it reflects a deep vulnerability in Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure.
“When the national ID backbone collapses without backup communication, it’s not just an IT failure — it’s a national security issue,” said Kelechukwu Daniel, a digital security analyst.
He called on the federal government to urgently audit NIMC’s disaster preparedness, citing the potential for widespread economic loss, public distrust, and system abuse.
Mounting Pressure on NIMC
As of Tuesday afternoon, frustration is mounting across sectors. Telcos, banks, fintech platforms, and digital identity partners are struggling to maintain operations tied to the NIN verification portal.
Despite the growing crisis, NIMC has yet to release an official statement, further fueling public anxiety. Stakeholders are urging the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to intervene swiftly and restore public confidence.
(Press NGR)
