NCC registers 231m phones, moves to block fake devices from Nigerian networks

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has registered approximately 231 million telecommunications devices operating on Nigerian networks as it begins implementing a verification framework to prevent counterfeit, cloned and unapproved phones from accessing mobile services.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening consumer protection, improving network quality and enabling regulators to trace devices imported and sold in Nigeria.

The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing in Abuja on the implementation of the Device Checker and Type Approval Compliance framework.

Ogoh said devices already operating on Nigerian telecommunications networks had been automatically registered, meaning existing subscribers would not need to take additional steps to verify their phones.

“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,” he said.

However, newly introduced devices will be required to satisfy the commission’s verification requirements before gaining access to telecommunications networks.

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The commission said it would not retrospectively disconnect devices that were connected to telecommunications networks before the new verification system became operational, including devices that might not meet current approval standards.

“We are not blacklisting those that have come up before this,” Ogoh said, explaining that the decision was intended to protect consumers who purchased their devices before the verification system became available.

He added that the framework would prevent additional non-compliant devices from entering the telecommunications ecosystem.

The NCC is also collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service, manufacturers, importers and dealers to authenticate telecommunications devices before they enter the Nigerian market.

According to Ogoh, the system would help regulators identify importers, dates of importation and quantities of devices brought into the country, strengthening enforcement against counterfeit products.

Ogoh said counterfeit and faulty telecommunications devices could contribute to poor network performance because some equipment interferes with network infrastructure and affects other subscribers connected to the same cell site.

He noted that the commission’s assessments had identified device-related issues alongside infrastructure limitations, insecurity, flooding and other challenges affecting telecommunications services.

The verification framework is therefore designed to help the regulator identify non-compliant equipment and restrict the entry of additional unapproved devices into the market.

The initiative follows the introduction of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024 and consultations with industry stakeholders.

Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 requires telecommunications equipment to obtain regulatory approval before being sold or used in Nigeria.

The commission has also sought to reassure consumers over concerns that the new system could expose their personal information to surveillance.

Ogoh stressed that the framework was not designed to monitor subscribers or access information stored on their devices.

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

He explained that the verification process relies on device identification information rather than access to subscribers’ messages, photographs, contacts or financial records.

The commission advised consumers to check whether their phones, tablets, modems and other SIM-enabled devices have received regulatory approval.

How to check if your phone is approved

Consumers can use the following steps to verify their devices:

Check your IMEI: Dial *#06# on your phone to retrieve its International Mobile Equipment Identity number.

Use the NCC verification channel: Dial *315# or visit the NCC’s Device Checker portal.

Contact your seller: Consumers who discover that they purchased unverified devices should approach the seller for a replacement.

Report unresolved complaints: Contact the NCC through its toll-free 315 helpline.

The commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, described the initiative as part of broader efforts to improve telecommunications safety, network quality and consumer protection.

She urged journalists to support public education on the new requirements, while the Head of Corporate Communications, Olasumbo Olawaiye, called for sustained media engagement to improve awareness and implementation.

The device verification initiative comes amid other regulatory measures aimed at improving telecommunications services in Nigeria.

In March 2026, the NCC directed mobile network operators to compensate subscribers in areas where network quality falls below prescribed standards.

The directive builds on the Quality of Service Regulations introduced in 2024, which established performance indicators for operators, including call drop rates, call setup success rates and network congestion.

With the new device verification framework, the commission is seeking to address equipment-related problems alongside existing network challenges, while improving consumer confidence in telecommunications services.

The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on enforcement across the supply chain, public awareness and the ability of regulators to identify non-compliant devices without disrupting services for existing subscribers.