Nigerian mobile subscribers have expressed widespread anxiety following broadcast alerts sent out over the weekend warning that unauthorized devices will be blocked from network access within 30 days.
The automated notifications, which overwhelmed customer support channels and overloaded mobile networks, stem from the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) renewed enforcement of its Device Management System (DMS).
The regulatory framework is designed to identify, track, and ultimately restrict mobile devices that lack formal type-approval certification from the commission.
Responding to public concern, the NCC clarified that the directive targets non-compliant hardware across the board rather than specific brands or models, framing the initiative as a necessary security measure to protect consumers from substandard counterfeit devices and safeguard telecommunications infrastructure.
Confirming the development, a senior NCC official said the enforcement “is necessary” because some devices being brought into Nigeria had not gone through the required type-approval process.
An agency official explained that the commission established the tracking system to intercept unauthorized devices that entered the country through illicit import channels.
Early warning notifications have already been delivered to users across a wide array of manufacturers—including iPhones, Google Pixels, Tecno, Infinix, and Oukitel—confirming that the regulatory enforcement applies universally rather than targeting specific brands.
The alerts have raised questions about Unapproved Phone Brands and how the NCC determines which devices comply with its regulations.
USSD code, *315#
According to regulatory findings, the automated alerts notify users that their hardware lacks formal approval, warning that total network disconnection will occur after 30 cumulative days of non-compliance.
To help consumers verify their hardware, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) introduced the dedicated USSD code *315#, enabling subscribers to check whether their handsets are officially type-approved for use on domestic networks.
The directive has caused considerable anxiety among consumers who made substantial financial investments in their mobile devices, particularly as several flagged handsets were purchased directly from established local retailers across Nigeria.
According to checks by The Guardian, the NCC, as of August 2025, authorised 2,397 mobile phone models for use in Nigeria, following the approval of 52 new models in the month.
Consumers concerned about Unapproved Phone Brands can use the NCC’s verification process to check whether their specific mobile phone has received type approval.
Backstory…
In April, the Commission (NCC) says it was working on measures to ensure the availability of more affordable smartphones in the Nigerian market.
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The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this during a media interaction with journalists in Abuja on Friday.
Reports indicate that smartphone prices in Nigeria have surged to record levels in 2026, driven largely by currency depreciation and inflation.
Read Also: NCC pledges bold move to make cheaper smartphones available amid high Android costs in Nigeria
