The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, is stepping up efforts to rid Nigeria’s mobile device market of illegal and non-compliant phones with a new technology-driven system that could prevent unapproved devices from operating on local networks.
The Commission says the initiative will strengthen enforcement of its Type Approval requirements and ensure that communications devices imported, sold and used in Nigeria meet applicable technical and regulatory standards.
At the centre of the crackdown is the NCC’s Device Management System, DMS, which will electronically verify Type Approval compliance for SIM-enabled devices.
Under the new framework, SIM-enabled devices brought into Nigeria will be required to undergo registration and authentication before they are sold.
The NCC says devices that are not duly registered will not be permitted to operate on Nigerian mobile networks.
The Commission’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Engineer Edoyemi Ogoh, says the system is backed by the Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024, which provide for a Central Equipment Identity Register containing the International Mobile Equipment Identity, IMEI, numbers of devices in Nigeria.
Ogoh says the central registry will enable the Commission to more effectively identify devices that fail to meet regulatory requirements and strengthen oversight of the country’s mobile device ecosystem.
Beyond Type Approval enforcement, the NCC says the system will make it easier to identify illegally imported and non-compliant devices.
It will also support efforts to block stolen phones from operating across Nigerian mobile networks once they are reported to the relevant authorities.
The Commission has commenced the first phase of implementation in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, Original Equipment Manufacturers, importers and relevant market associations.
The initial phase will focus on onboarding devices already held in stock, while future imports will be subject to registration and authentication.
The NCC says the initiative is expected to improve network performance, strengthen compliance and increase consumer confidence in mobile devices sold in Nigeria.
The Commission has also moved to address privacy concerns, stressing that the system is designed only for device identification and Type Approval compliance.
According to the NCC, the platform will store device identification details such as IMEI numbers but will not give the Commission access to the contents of users’ devices or enable it to monitor private communications.