In furtherance of its regulatory initiatives targeted at curbing sub-standard SIM-enabled devices in the Nigerian telecoms market, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is strengthening its collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on the adoption of its device checker platform with a view to frontally addressing the challenge of fake devices in the country.
The latest initiative of the commission, which is coming as the number of type-approved devices in Nigeria edges closer to 3,000, underscores its sustained commitment to protecting consumers from substandard and counterfeit devices by ensuring that only certified devices are being sold in the market.
Speaking to journalists at a briefing organized last Thursday to shed light on the purposes of the measure in Lagos, the NCC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Dr Aminu Maida, maintained that the Device Checker would strengthen the ecosystem and not be a tracker tool.
Represented at the forum by the Zonal Controller of the NCC Lagos office, Tunji Jimoh, the EVC explained that the platform’s purpose was limited to device identification and regulatory compliance verification, and designed to strengthen Type Approval compliance, protect consumers and safeguard the integrity of communications devices on Mobile Network Operators’ (MNOs’) networks nationwide.
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Maida clarified: “As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, it is important that devices connected to our networks comply with established technical and regulatory standards.”
The EVC, who recalled that the Commission recently streamlined its licensing and regularisation process, enabling a significant number of device dealers in Kano State to obtain licences, added that the Device Checker platform would help to frontally curb the circulation of non-compliant, counterfeit, cloned and unauthorised devices in the country.
This is even as he disclosed that the commission also held sensitisation engagements with importers and other industry players in Lagos and other parts of the country as part of its efforts to deepen awareness of Type Approval requirements and Device Checker obligations and strengthen accountability in the device supply value chain and improve regulatory compliance.
In his remarks at the event, the commission’s Head of Wireless Network, Technical Standards and Networks Integrity Department, Kings Adeyemi, hinted that the NCC had also developed a Device Checker application that allow authorised stakeholders scan device IMEIs and upload the information directly to the platform.
According to him, the NCC has issued over 2,900 type approval licenses so far in the country and all SIM-enabled devices are affected under the new directive.
He explained non-compliant and counterfeit devices act like unapproved electrical appliances plugged into a home network, which can degrade service quality, cause network interference, and disrupt connectivity for legitimate users.
The expert clarified: “With the deployment of the Device Checker, all existing mobile phones and connected equipment within the country have been successfully migrated onto the platform. Importers and dealers are urged to leverage NCC’s digital resources and stakeholder guidelines available at NCC Guidelines to ensure full compliance.”
He said that for inquiries, telecoms consumers can reach the Commission through its dedicated consumer toll-free line, 315, for guidance on device verification and consumer protection matters, and can verify a device’s status before purchase through the “Check Your Device” portal at www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker by entering the device’s IMEI number.
The expert further clarified that manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers can find their obligations in the Type Approval & Device Verification Guide there, adding that organisations seeking Equipment Type Approval can find application requirements on the Type Approval section of the NCC website. The Device Checker app is available at imeiscanner.registermydevice.ng.
In his concluding remarks, he advised industry players to familiarise themselves with the Type Approval guide and ensure full compliance.
The Device Checker tool, which is accessible via the NCC website, enables consumers to verify the approval status of mobile phones, tablets, and other communication gadgets before purchase. By rallying OEMs to promote the platform, the Commission aimed to empower users with reliable information, reduce the influx of fake devices, and enhance overall quality of service across the telecom sector.
