By Daniel Tyokua
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced the implementation of an enhanced device verification framework aimed at identifying fake, cloned and non-compliant SIM-enabled communications devices in circulation.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, on Tuesday, the Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Mr. Edoyemi Ogoh, said the step is to strengthen control of devices and preventing them from connecting to telecommunications networks.
He said the Commission’s initiative would strengthen regulatory oversight, protect consumers from substandard devices and improve the integrity and performance of telecommunications networks across the country.
Ogoh explained that the framework would enable electronic verification of the Type Approval status of devices, ensuring that communications equipment imported, sold and used in Nigeria complies with established technical and regulatory standards.
He said the initiative was part of the Commission’s statutory responsibility to ensure that devices connected to Nigerian telecommunications networks meet the required standards.
Ogoh revealed that , Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 requires licensed service providers, facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers to obtain Type Approval from the Commission before communications equipment can be sold or used in the country.
He noted that the enhanced compliance framework became necessary as the telecommunications industry expanded, making more effective monitoring of devices in the Nigerian market increasingly important.
The director said the Commission had worked with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, service providers and industry associations, to support the implementation process.
He added that consultations and market studies conducted following the issuance of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024 helped shape the framework.
Ogoh said the Commission had also made provisions for devices already in stock to be onboarded, while devices imported into the country in the future would undergo appropriate verification and authentication.
He explained that the process would help the regulator identify devices that do not meet the required standards and strengthen efforts to prevent fake and cloned equipment from accessing telecommunications networks.
The NCC director urged Nigerians to take an active interest in the compliance status of communications devices before purchasing them.
He advised consumers buying mobile phones, tablets, modems, point-of-sale (POS) terminals and other SIM-enabled devices to ask sellers whether the products had received NCC Type Approval.
According to him, ensuring that devices comply with technical standards would help protect consumers, improve service quality and promote confidence in the telecommunications market.
Ogoh, however, dismissed concerns that the initiative was designed to monitor private communications or access personal information stored on users’ devices.
He said the framework was strictly limited to device identification and Type Approval compliance, including the use of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers for regulatory purposes.
“The compliance framework is designed solely to support device identification and Type Approval compliance,” he said.
End.
