The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that approximately 231 million phones and other telecommunications devices are already registered on Nigerian networks, and it has introduced a verification code and online platform for Nigerians to check whether their devices meet regulatory standards.
231 million devices already captured
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, the NCC's Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, disclosed that devices currently operating on Nigerian networks had already been automatically captured. He reassured subscribers that they would not need to undertake fresh registration or worry about immediate disconnection.
"We had already registered about 231 million devices across the country. And those devices, basically, you don't have to do anything. The subscriber does not have to do anything," Ogoh explained.
According to the commission, enforcement will primarily target newly introduced devices that fail to satisfy Nigeria's technical and regulatory requirements.
NCC moves against fake and cloned phones
The NCC is collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service, manufacturers, importers and market associations to strengthen checks on telecommunications devices entering Nigeria. The verification framework covers smartphones, feature phones, cellular tablets, modems, SIM-enabled laptops and Point of Sale (POS) terminals.
Regulators will also be able to trace device importers, shipment dates and quantities, making it easier to identify suspicious products. The commission warned that counterfeit and poorly manufactured devices could undermine network performance, affecting not only their owners but other subscribers.
The initiative builds on existing Type Approval requirements, supported by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and regulations introduced in August 2024.
How to check if your phone is approved
Nigerians purchasing new or second-hand phones are encouraged to verify their devices before making payment. The NCC identified three important verification steps:
- USSD code: Dial *315# and follow the instructions.
- Online verification: Visit the NCC Device Checker portal.
- IMEI identification: Dial *#06# to retrieve your phone's unique 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity number.
Consumers should verify approval status, particularly when purchasing unusually cheap devices or buying from unfamiliar vendors. Anyone who discovers that a purchased device is unverified should contact the seller for clarification or replacement. Unresolved complaints can be escalated through the NCC's toll-free consumer helpline, 315.
Will NCC access your personal information?
Addressing concerns about privacy, the commission clarified that the verification framework uses device identification information rather than personal content. According to the NCC, the system does not grant access to subscribers' photographs, messages or stored files.
Instead, it focuses on identifying devices, confirming regulatory compliance and strengthening accountability across Nigeria's telecommunications market.
For millions of Nigerian phone users, the message is straightforward: existing devices require no fresh registration, but buyers should verify new purchases to avoid counterfeit or unapproved phones. The effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on consistent enforcement, cooperation among importers and retailers, and greater consumer awareness.
