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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned sellers of counterfeit and non-compliant phones that they risk financial losses under its enhanced device-checking initiative, which allows consumers to verify devices before purchase.
The Commission also assured Nigerians that phones and other SIM-enabled devices bought before the initiative became operational would not be blacklisted.
Engr Edoyemi Ogoh, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, said the initiative was announced in 2024 and had now become fully operational.
Speaking to THE WHISTLER during a media engagement at the commission’s head office annex in Mbora, Abuja, Ogoh said the NCC had considered the circumstances under which Nigerians bought devices before the introduction of the system.
He added that the Commission had registered about “231 million devices across the country” since 2024.
He said subscribers using devices purchased before the rollout would not need to take any action, but advised prospective buyers to verify the authenticity of devices before paying for them.
“The approach we are taking from NCC is that those devices are going to work correct we are not blacklisting those that have come up before this so they’re able to work,” he said.
Ogoh said the Commission was mindful that many Nigerians bought phones based on affordability and often lacked reliable means of checking whether the devices were genuine.
“We are not asking subscribers to discard their devices but we are advising them moving forward to always check the IMEI number of any device they are about to especially during the period,” he said.
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique number used to identify mobile devices.
According to Ogoh, the verification system is intended to help buyers determine whether devices meet the required regulatory standards and are genuine products from the brands advertised by sellers.
“This helps us protect and ensure that when consumers are buying a device they’re actually buying exactly what they have paid for,” he said.
He cited reports of phones becoming excessively hot during calls as an example of potential safety concerns associated with devices that may not meet required standards.
“I’m sure a lot of us can relate to or have heard people say we’re talking on the phone and the phone is getting very hot in your ears you must have heard someone say that and those are risky things that could happen,” he said.
Ogoh said the device-checking initiative would complement inspections conducted at the point of importation, where the NCC works with the Nigeria Customs Service to verify incoming devices.
He said the importation checks and the new verification system addressed different stages of the supply chain, as devices could enter the market through smuggling or other channels.
“Yes that’s already being done. We are collaborating very closely with the Nigeria Customer Service to ensuring that any new devices that are imported, at the importation stage are checked,” he said.
However, he said importation checks alone could not address all devices already circulating in the Nigerian market.
“But for devices already in circulations we cannot use the Customs so obviously the device checker is not for product that I already in the market before we rolled out this policy,” he said.
Ogoh acknowledged that some traders might continue to smuggle devices into the country to make profits despite the risks and possible legal consequences.
“We know that’s aa thing that will just happen, because when there is incentive for financial benefits, people always want to do it no matter, how risky and how criminal the actions are,” he said.
He argued that allowing buyers to verify devices before purchase could make it harder for traders to sell counterfeit or non-compliant products.
“But because there’s a new policy in place even if you smuggle this product, you won’t be able to sell them because we’ve asked Nigerians to check before the purchase any device moving forward,” he said.
“Once they run the code and it tells them that this device isn’t genuine, they cannot purchase it from your shop so rather than making profits they’ll be at a loss so whoever is retaining that has a liability for a product.”
He added that the Commission would continue working with the Customs Service to ensure imported devices met applicable standards.
“We’re working closely with the Customs to ensure that every device imported into the country meet the standard and if you smuggle it, you will not be able to sell it,” he said.
Basis For Device Checks
In his opening address, Ogoh said the enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework was designed to strengthen regulatory oversight of SIM-enabled communications devices imported, sold and used in Nigeria.
Type Approval is the process through which communications equipment is assessed for compliance with applicable technical standards before it can be sold or used in the country.
Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 requires relevant licensed service providers, facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers to obtain Type Approval before communications equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.
Ogoh said the framework would allow electronic verification of devices’ approval status and help identify equipment that failed to meet the required standards.
The initiative followed the issuance of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024. The Commission subsequently conducted stakeholder engagements, market studies and consultations involving manufacturers, importers, dealers, service providers, government agencies and industry associations.
Ogoh said the NCC had also worked to register devices already in stock and establish verification processes for newly imported equipment.
He said the framework would support the identification of non-compliant, cloned and counterfeit devices and help prevent them from connecting to telecommunications networks under the applicable compliance arrangements.
NCC Addresses Privacy Concerns
The Commission also sought to address concerns that the device-checking system could give it access to private information stored on subscribers’ phones.
Ogoh said the framework was limited to device identification and regulatory compliance.
“The compliance framework is designed solely to support device identification and Type Approval compliance. It maintains device identification information, including IMEI numbers, for regulatory purposes,” he said.
“It does not provide the Commission with access to the content of users’ devices, nor does it enable the Commission to monitor personal communications.”
He said the system was not designed to access subscribers’ photographs, messages, contacts, financial information or other personal data stored on their devices.
“The framework is limited to device identification information required to support regulatory compliance and facilitate the identification of devices that may not meet applicable Type Approval requirements,” he said.
“Consumer privacy remains fully protected in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.”
Ogoh urged Nigerians to ask sellers whether devices had received NCC Type Approval before making purchases. The advice covers phones, tablets, modems, point-of-sale terminals and other SIM-enabled equipment.
He said the Commission would continue public awareness campaigns and engagement with manufacturers, dealers, industry associations, government agencies and the media as implementation progressed.
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