NCC urges Nigerians to verify device approval status before purchase

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, on Tuesday urged Nigerians to verify the approval status of SIM cared-enabled devices before buying them.

Director, Technical Services and Network Integrity, NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, said this at a media roundtable in Abuja.

“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.

“The process is very easy, just call 315; you will get the required help that you require it will assist you with that because it is toll-free.

“You always get someone that will certainly respond to you and address whatever issues that you may have with your devices,” he said.

He said the commission had commenced the implementation of an enhanced type approval compliance framework for SIM-enabled communication devices to improve network quality and protect consumers.

He said that the framework was designed to ensure that communication devices sold and used in Nigeria complied with established technical and regulatory standards.

He said that the initiative was part of the commission’s statutory responsibility under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, to safeguard the integrity of telecommunications networks and promote consumer confidence.

“The telecommunications sector is critical to Nigeria’s economic and social development, with millions of Nigerians relying on communication devices for businesses, education, healthcare, financial transactions and personal communication,” he said.

He said that the integrity of telecommunications networks depended not only on infrastructure but also on the quality, safety and compliance of devices connected to them.

“The implementation creates an environment in which consumers can have greater confidence in the devices available within the Nigerian marketplace.

“It also contributes to a healthier device environment in which compliance becomes the norm rather than the exception,” he said.

Ogoh explained that Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, required relevant service providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers to obtain type approval from the commission before communication equipment could be sold or used in Nigeria.

He said that the enhanced framework would facilitate electronic verification of the type approval status of SIM-enabled devices, improve regulatory oversight and help identify non-compliant, cloned and counterfeit devices.

He said that the initiative would also promote fair competition among legitimate businesses, improve network performance and strengthen confidence in communication devices available in the Nigerian market.

He said that the commission had undertaken stakeholder engagements, market studies and consultations across the device value chain following the issuance of its Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024.

He also said that the NCC had worked with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, to ensure that devices already in stock were appropriately onboarded and that newly imported devices were verified and authenticated.

“The engagements involve original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, service providers, government agencies and industry associations, whose contributions informed the framework’s design and implementation.”

The director said that the framework was strictly for device identification and regulatory compliance and was not a surveillance tool.

He explained that the system used device identification information, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, for regulatory purposes, adding that the commission does not have access to users’ financial information or personal data.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to protecting consumer privacy in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, while sustaining public awareness and stakeholder engagement throughout the implementation process.

Earlier, Nnenna Ukoha, Director, Public Affairs Department, NCC described device checking and type approval as important measures to ensure device safety, improved network quality and consumer protection.

Ukoha said the initiative would contribute to building a more secure digital environment and support Nigeria’s ambition to develop a trillion-dollar digital economy..