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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to verify the approval status of SIM-enabled devices before purchasing them to guard against counterfeit, cloned and non-compliant equipment.
The commission’s Director of Technical Services and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, gave the advice at a media roundtable in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ogoh advised consumers buying mobile phones, tablets, modems and other SIM-enabled devices to confirm their regulatory approval with sellers and independently verify their status.
“When buying a phone, tablet, modem or any device that uses a SIM, consumers should ask the seller whether it is NCC-approved and independently verify its approval status,” he said.
He said consumers could call the commission’s toll-free number, 315, for assistance in checking device approval and resolving related concerns.
Ogoh disclosed that the NCC had commenced implementing an enhanced type approval compliance framework for SIM-enabled communication devices to improve network quality and strengthen consumer protection.
He explained that the initiative was designed to ensure that communication devices sold and used in Nigeria met established technical and regulatory standards.
According to him, the framework falls within the commission’s statutory responsibilities under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, to protect telecommunications network integrity and promote consumer confidence.
He noted that the quality and compliance of devices connected to telecommunications networks were as important as the infrastructure supporting them, given the sector’s role in business, education, healthcare, financial transactions and personal communication.
Ogoh said Section 132(2) of the Act requires relevant equipment manufacturers, suppliers and other applicable stakeholders to obtain the commission’s type approval before communication equipment is sold or used in Nigeria.
He added that the enhanced framework would enable electronic verification of device approval status, strengthen regulatory oversight and help identify counterfeit, cloned and other non-compliant devices.
The initiative, he said, would also promote fair competition among legitimate businesses and improve the reliability of communication services.
Ogoh disclosed that the commission had conducted stakeholder engagements, market studies and consultations across the device value chain following the issuance of its Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024.
He said the NCC had also collaborated with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, to ensure that devices already in stock were properly registered under the framework and newly imported equipment was verified and authenticated.
The engagements involved original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, service providers, government agencies and industry associations.
Addressing privacy concerns, Ogoh clarified that the framework was strictly for device identification and regulatory compliance and was not designed for surveillance.
He explained that the system uses device identification details, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, for regulatory purposes, stressing that the commission does not have access to users’ financial information or personal data through the framework.
He reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to protecting consumer privacy in line with applicable laws and sustaining public awareness throughout the implementation process.
Earlier, the Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, described device verification and type approval as essential measures for ensuring equipment safety, improving network quality and protecting consumers.
Ukoha said the initiative would contribute to a more secure digital environment and support Nigeria’s ambition to build a trillion-dollar digital economy.
