By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to always verify the regulatory status...
By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to always verify the regulatory status of mobile phones before buying them, as part of measures to curb the circulation of counterfeit, cloned and unauthorised devices in the country.
The Zonal Controller of the NCC Kano Zonal Office, Maigana Ibrahim Ahmed, made the call on Thursday during a media briefing in Kano.
Ahmed said the Commission has intensified enforcement of device approval requirements and introduced the Device Checker platform to protect consumers, ensure compliance with technical standards and safeguard the integrity of devices connected to Nigeria’s telecommunications networks.
According to him, the initiative has become imperative as Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, making it necessary for all devices connected to telecom networks to meet established technical and regulatory standards.
He disclosed that the Commission has streamlined licensing and regularisation processes, a move that has enabled several device dealers in Kano State to obtain the required licences to operate legitimately.
The NCC, he added, has also conducted sensitisation programmes and stakeholder engagements with importers and other industry players in Lagos and other parts of the country to improve awareness of type approval requirements and obligations under the Device Checker framework.
Ahmed explained that the measures are aimed at strengthening accountability across the entire device supply chain and making it easier for businesses to comply with regulatory requirements.
To simplify compliance, the Commission has developed a Device Checker application that allows authorised stakeholders to scan the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of devices and upload their information directly to the platform.
The IMEI is a unique identification number assigned to every mobile device and is used to identify individual devices during verification.
For consumers, the Commission advised that they should visit *www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceChecker* and enter the IMEI number of any device to confirm its status before completing payment.
Manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers were also advised to consult the Type Approval and Device Verification Guide via *www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide* to understand their obligations under the regulatory framework.
Businesses seeking type approval can access the application requirements and procedures through the type approval section of the Commission’s website.
Addressing concerns about privacy, Ahmed clarified that the Device Checker platform is not a surveillance tool and does not access personal information stored on users’ devices.
He stressed that its functions are strictly limited to device identification and regulatory compliance verification, and that it does not access private messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other personal content.
The Commission also encouraged consumers who need assistance with device verification or have other telecommunications-related complaints to contact its consumer support service through the *315 toll-free number*.
Ahmed urged Nigerians to patronise only reputable and licensed dealers and to take advantage of the Commission’s online verification resources before purchasing mobile phones.
He further called on manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers to familiarise themselves with the Type Approval and Device Verification Guide and ensure their products comply with NCC requirements.
The NCC said the Device Checker initiative is part of its broader efforts to protect consumers, promote fair competition, safeguard network integrity and build public confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
It also urged the media to sustain public awareness campaigns to ensure that both consumers and industry operators understand the importance of device verification and regulatory compliance.
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