The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has registered about 231 million devices operating on Nigerian networks and is tightening enforcement against unapproved phones, warning that non-compliant devices could eventually lose network access.
The commission said its new Device Checker and Type Approval Compliance framework would strengthen consumer protection, improve network quality and help regulators track mobile devices imported and sold in Nigeria.
Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing on the implementation of the framework in Abuja.
“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.
He explained that devices already operating on Nigerian networks had been automatically captured, meaning existing subscribers would not need to register them afresh.
However, newly introduced devices must satisfy the commission’s verification and type approval requirements before gaining access to telecommunications networks.
Ogoh stressed that the NCC would not retrospectively blacklist devices already connected to networks, even where they might not meet current approval standards.
“We are not blacklisting those that have come up before this,” he said, explaining that the decision was intended to protect consumers who purchased devices before the verification system became operational.
The commission is working with the Nigeria Customs Service, manufacturers, importers and dealers to ensure that devices entering the Nigerian market undergo the necessary checks.
According to Ogoh, the framework would enable regulators to identify device importers, dates of importation and quantities supplied, making it easier to track counterfeit products and enforce compliance.
He said the initiative followed the introduction of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024 and consultations with industry stakeholders.
Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, telecommunications equipment must obtain the required regulatory approval before being sold or used in Nigeria.
The commission’s enforcement drive has generated concern among phone users after subscribers with iPhones, Samsung, Tecno, Infinix and Google Pixel devices reportedly received text messages warning that unverified phones could be disconnected after 30 cumulative days of network use.
The NCC said the verification process was designed to identify devices that had not undergone the required approval checks, rather than automatically establish that such phones were counterfeit.
Ogoh advised consumers to verify their devices by dialling 315 or visiting the commission’s Device Checker portal.
Subscribers can retrieve their phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers by dialling \*#06#.
Consumers whose devices show “Not Verified” should not immediately assume that their phones are fake. The status may indicate that the device has not been properly captured in the NCC’s verification system.
Affected customers are advised to take a screenshot of the result, contact the seller for clarification and seek guidance from the commission through its official channels.
The NCC has also indicated that devices purchased abroad or through private sales may require a registration process, although detailed procedures for such cases were not provided at the briefing.
The commission’s warning has raised questions about the responsibility of retailers and importers who sell devices that have not met the required regulatory standards.
Consumers are therefore advised to verify a device’s status before purchasing a new phone and to retain proof of purchase in case of disputes.
Addressing concerns over privacy, Ogoh insisted that the device verification system would not give the regulator access to subscribers’ personal information.
“It is not a surveillance tool and does not provide access to personal information stored on devices,” he said.
He explained that the system relies on device identification information and does not provide access to personal messages, photographs, contacts or financial records.
The NCC said unapproved or faulty devices could also affect telecommunications network performance by interfering with infrastructure and disrupting service for other subscribers.
Ogoh noted that device-related problems were among several factors affecting network quality, alongside infrastructure limitations, insecurity and flooding.
Earlier, the NCC’s Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, described the initiative as part of efforts to improve telecommunications safety, service quality and consumer protection.
The Head of Corporate Communications, Olasumbo Olawaiye, urged journalists to sustain public awareness about the new framework and help consumers understand the requirements.
1. Check your device by dialling 315 and following the prompts to verify its status.
2. If it shows “Approved and Verified”, no additional action is indicated by the verification result.
3. If it shows “Not Verified”, contact the seller and seek clarification from the NCC before deciding to replace the phone.
4. Keep your proof of purchase, including receipts and other documents showing where and when you bought the device.
5. Beware of scams. Do not disclose your one-time password (OTP) or make payments in response to suspicious messages claiming to offer device registration.
The NCC’s stated position is that devices already captured on Nigerian networks will not be retrospectively blacklisted under the new framework. However, consumers with unverified devices should confirm their individual status and obtain official guidance on any applicable registration requirements.
