The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to verify the type approval status of mobile phones and other communications devices before purchasing them.
The commission said the initiative was to enforce regulatory standards for mobile phones and other SIM-enabled communications devices imported into Nigeria, introducing a Device Checker service to help consumers verify their approval status and curb the circulation of counterfeit, cloned, and non-compliant equipment.
The initiative was unveiled at a media briefing on the Commission’s Technical Standards and Network Integrity initiatives held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the NCC Head Office Annex in Mbora, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, urged media organisations to strengthen public awareness of the Device Checker service and other regulatory initiatives aimed at protecting telecommunications consumers and improving network quality.
Ukoha explained that the media engagement was organised to provide journalists with a better understanding of the Commission’s regulatory activities, developments in the telecommunications industry, and issues affecting stakeholders.
She stressed that effective communication was essential to ensuring that regulatory policies achieved their intended objectives, particularly among consumers at the grassroots.
According to her, even well-designed regulations could have limited impact if their purposes, benefits, and implications were not adequately communicated to the public.
She therefore called on journalists to provide accurate and balanced information about the Device Checker initiative, explaining how it works, its benefits to consumers, and the responsibilities of Nigerians when purchasing mobile phones and other communications equipment.
The NCC said the initiative formed part of an enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework designed to ensure that communications devices imported, sold, and used in Nigeria meet established technical and regulatory standards.
The framework is intended to strengthen consumer protection, safeguard telecommunications networks, and prevent devices that fail to satisfy applicable requirements from accessing Nigerian mobile networks.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, said the Commission was strengthening the monitoring and enforcement of existing type approval requirements through technology.
Ogoh explained that type approval was an established regulatory obligation and not a new requirement introduced by the latest initiative.
He said the enhanced framework followed consultations with original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications service providers, government agencies, and industry associations after the issuance of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024.
According to him, the Commission had also worked with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to facilitate the verification of devices already in stock and ensure that newly imported equipment underwent the required checks.
The enhanced compliance framework took effect on October 7, 2026.
Under the arrangement, consumers can check the approval and verification status of eligible devices by dialling *315# and following the prompts. They may also access the service through the NCC’s official Device Checker portal.
For devices other than the phones they are currently using, consumers may be required to provide the 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which can be obtained by dialling *#06# on the device.
The Commission has advised Nigerians to verify devices before making payments, particularly when purchasing second-hand phones or equipment from unfamiliar sellers.
It clarified, however, that consumers buying devices from local sellers are not ordinarily responsible for obtaining type approval themselves, as the primary compliance obligations rest with manufacturers, importers, suppliers, and businesses placing equipment on the Nigerian market.
The NCC also disclosed that devices already connected to Nigerian mobile networks before the implementation of the framework had been automatically verified and generally require no additional action from their owners.
The framework covers smartphones, feature phones, cellular tablets, eligible Internet of Things devices, SIM-enabled point-of-sale terminals, cellular laptops, and other equipment designed to connect to Nigerian mobile networks.
Addressing concerns about privacy, Ogoh said the system was designed for device identification and regulatory compliance rather than surveillance.
He explained that the use of device identifiers, including IMEI numbers, did not give the Commission access to subscribers’ private messages, photographs, contacts, financial information, or other personal files stored on their devices.
The Commission also maintained that the verification system was not designed to track users’ physical locations or movements.
It warned that devices confirmed to be non-compliant with applicable requirements could be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks, while advising consumers that an unsuccessful verification result did not automatically establish that a device was counterfeit.
Consumers encountering verification difficulties were advised to seek clarification from sellers or contact their service providers and the Commission for assistance.
The initiative is backed by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, particularly Section 132(2), the Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations 2024, and the Type Approval Business Rules 2024.
The NCC urged manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications operators, consumer groups, and media organisations to support public sensitisation and compliance with the framework.
The Commission said sustained collaboration among regulators, industry stakeholders, and the media would be important to ensuring that Nigerians understand the new verification process and its implications for the purchase and use of communications devices.
It reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening technical standards, protecting consumers, and promoting a safer and more reliable telecommunications environment in support of Nigeria’s digital economy.
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