The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced electronic verification of mobile phones and other SIM-enabled devices to identify fake, cloned and non-compliant equipment in Nigeria’s telecommunications market.
The initiative is designed to strengthen network integrity, improve service quality and protect consumers by ensuring that devices used on telecommunications networks meet approved technical and regulatory standards.
The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, disclosed this at a news conference at the Commission’s headquarters annex in Mbora, Abuja.
Ogoh said the enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework would enable the Commission to electronically verify the approval status of SIM-enabled devices, strengthening regulatory oversight of equipment imported, sold and used in Nigeria.
He explained that the initiative followed consultations with equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications operators, government agencies and industry associations.
According to him, devices already in stock have been onboarded, while devices imported into the country in the future will undergo verification and authentication to improve compliance.
The NCC said the framework would also promote fair competition among businesses, protect consumers from non-compliant products and enhance confidence in communications devices available in the Nigerian market.
Ogoh urged Nigerians to confirm that mobile phones, tablets, modems, point-of-sale (POS) terminals and other SIM-enabled devices have NCC Type Approval before purchasing them.
He noted that under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, relevant service providers, facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers are required to obtain Type Approval before communications equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.
The NCC director also addressed concerns about consumer privacy, clarifying that the framework uses device identification information, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, for regulatory compliance.
He stressed that the system does not give the Commission access to personal communications, photographs, messages, contacts, financial information or other content stored on users’ devices.
Ogoh described the initiative as a regulatory compliance measure rather than a surveillance tool, adding that consumer privacy would remain protected in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Commission called on consumers, manufacturers, importers, dealers and other stakeholders to support the implementation of the framework, emphasising that compliance with technical standards is essential to protecting users and maintaining reliable telecommunications networks in Nigeria.