The telecoms regulator says existing users do not need to register again as its new verification system targets counterfeit, cloned and unapproved devices.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has registered approximately 231 million telecommunications devices across Nigeria as it begins enforcing a new verification framework aimed at preventing counterfeit, cloned and unapproved devices from accessing mobile networks.

The commission’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, disclosed the figure during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, explaining that devices already operating on Nigerian networks had been automatically captured by the system.

“We had already registered about 231 million devices across the country. And those devices, basically, you don’t have to do anything. The subscriber does not have to do anything,” Ogoh said.

The NCC’s Device Management System is designed to strengthen compliance with existing type approval rules, improve network performance and help regulators identify devices that do not meet the required technical standards. The commission says the new framework took effect on 7 October 2026.

NCC targets unapproved devices entering the market

Under the framework, newly imported SIM-enabled devices must be registered and authenticated before they are sold or allowed to operate on Nigerian networks.

Ogoh said the commission was working with the Nigeria Customs Service, manufacturers, importers and dealers to verify devices entering the country and improve oversight of the telecommunications equipment market.

The system is also expected to help the regulator identify the importer, date of importation and quantity of devices brought into Nigeria, making it easier to trace suppliers of counterfeit and non-compliant products.

The NCC said the framework builds on its Type Approval Business Rules, issued in August 2024, following consultations with industry stakeholders.

Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 provides the legal basis for requiring regulatory approval before communications equipment is sold or used in Nigeria. The NCC has clarified that the initiative strengthens enforcement of an existing requirement rather than introducing a new obligation.

Ogoh said the commission would not retrospectively disconnect devices that were already operating on Nigerian networks before the new system took effect.

“We are not blacklisting those that have come up before this,” he said, explaining that the approach was intended to protect consumers who bought devices without access to the new verification system.

How Nigerians can check their devices

The NCC says consumers can use its Device Checker service to confirm whether a device has the required approval and verification status before purchasing it.

Subscribers can dial *315# or visit the commission’s official Device Checker portal. Users can retrieve a phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number by dialling *#06#.

The verification system covers SIM-enabled devices, including smartphones, feature phones, tablets, modems and other compatible cellular equipment.

Ogoh advised people who discover that a device they have purchased is unverified to contact the seller for clarification or a replacement. Those who cannot resolve the issue can seek assistance through the NCC’s toll-free 315 helpline.

The commission also cautioned consumers against treating an unsuccessful verification result as automatic proof that a device is counterfeit. It advises users to follow the official verification process or contact their seller or service provider for assistance.

NCC dismisses surveillance concerns

The commission said the system relies on device identification information, including IMEI numbers, to establish whether equipment meets regulatory requirements.

Ogoh rejected concerns that the framework would give the regulator access to personal information stored on phones.

“It is not a surveillance tool and does not provide access to personal information stored on devices,” he said.

The NCC maintains that the system does not allow it to access subscribers’ photographs, messages, contacts or other personal files. It is intended to verify devices and strengthen enforcement against non-compliant equipment.

Earlier, the NCC’s Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, urged journalists to educate the public about the new requirements, describing awareness as important to the successful implementation of the initiative.

The commission’s Head of Corporate Communications, Olasumbo Olawaiye, also called for sustained media engagement to help consumers understand the changes.

The NCC says the initiative is intended to protect consumers from substandard devices, improve network integrity and make it easier to identify equipment that does not meet Nigeria’s telecommunications standards.