The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun implementing an enhanced compliance framework to identify fake, cloned and non-compliant SIM-enabled devices and prevent them from connecting to Nigeria’s telecommunications networks.
The initiative is designed to strengthen consumer protection, improve network performance and ensure that communications devices sold and used in Nigeria meet established technical and regulatory standards, the commission said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a news conference at the NCC Head Office Annex in Mbora, Abuja, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, urged consumers to verify the approval status of devices before purchasing them.
“When buying a phone, tablet, modem, POS terminal or any device that uses a SIM, before you pay, we encourage consumers to ask the seller if the device is NCC Type Approved,” Ogoh said.
The enhanced compliance framework enables the commission to electronically verify the Type Approval status of SIM-enabled communications devices in the Nigerian market.
According to the NCC, the system will help identify non-compliant, cloned and counterfeit devices, while ensuring that devices already in stock are properly onboarded and new imports are verified and authenticated.
NCC Explains Legal Basis for Device Checks
The commission said its Type Approval regime is backed by Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which requires relevant communications equipment to obtain Type Approval before being sold or used in Nigeria.
The requirement applies to licensed service providers, facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, according to the commission.
The NCC said the framework is intended to ensure that devices are compatible with telecommunications infrastructure, meet technical requirements and support reliable service delivery.
It also said the initiative followed the issuance of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024, alongside consultations and market studies involving original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, service providers, government agencies and industry associations.
The commission added that it had worked with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders across the device supply chain to support implementation.
NCC Says Framework Will Not Spy on Users
Addressing concerns about privacy, the commission said the compliance framework was designed for device identification and regulatory oversight, not surveillance of personal communications.
Ogoh said the system maintains device identification information, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, for regulatory purposes.
“It is not a surveillance tool and does not provide access to personal information stored on devices,” he said.
The NCC stressed that the framework does not give it access to users’ photographs, messages, contacts, financial information or other personal content stored on their devices.
It said consumer privacy would remain protected under applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
What Consumers Should Do
The commission advised Nigerians to make Type Approval status part of their checks when buying SIM-enabled devices.
The advice covers mobile phones, tablets, modems, point-of-sale terminals and other equipment that connects to telecommunications networks through a SIM.
The NCC said stronger compliance would help improve oversight of the device market, protect consumers from potentially substandard equipment and support confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.
It also urged manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications operators, consumer groups and the media to support public awareness and implementation.
The commission said it would continue stakeholder engagement and sensitisation as the enhanced compliance framework takes effect, adding that effective regulation was necessary to preserve the reliability and integrity of telecommunications networks used by millions of Nigerians.
