The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stepped up its efforts to tackle counterfeit, cloned and unauthorised mobile phones in the country through a new digital device verification initiative designed to protect consumers and strengthen telecommunications security.
The initiative, known as the Device Checker Platform, allows Nigerians to establish whether mobile phones and other SIM-enabled devices have received the necessary regulatory approval before purchasing them. It also introduces a device-scanning application that enables authorised industry stakeholders to capture and submit device identification information directly to the commission.
The development was disclosed during a media briefing at the NCC’s Lagos Zonal Office on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Tunji Jimoh, the Director and Zonal Controller of the NCC Lagos office, explained that the initiative forms part of the commission’s broader efforts to improve compliance with telecommunications standards and prevent substandard equipment from entering the Nigerian market.
According to the commission, the platform is designed to address the growing concerns surrounding counterfeit devices, cloned International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and telecommunications equipment operating without the required regulatory approval.
The NCC’s Head of Wireless Network, Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department, Kings Adeyemi, also explained that the newly developed NG-IMEI Scanner application would make device registration easier, particularly for dealers and distributors handling large quantities of mobile phones.
The application allows authorised users to scan device information, organise IMEI numbers and identify duplicate entries, reducing the possibility of errors associated with manual data entry.
How Nigerians Can Verify Their Mobile Phones
One of the major features of the initiative is the opportunity it provides consumers to check a mobile device’s regulatory status before completing a purchase.
Nigerians can access the NCC’s Device Checker service through its official device verification portal or by dialling *315# on their mobile phones.
Users may be required to provide the device’s 15-digit IMEI number when checking another phone. This identification number can be retrieved by dialling *#06# on the handset.
The verification process helps establish whether a particular device model has received NCC Type Approval and whether the device has been verified for use on Nigerian telecommunications networks.
The commission explained that its approved equipment register currently contains more than 2,900 devices, including different categories of telecommunications equipment.
The verification framework covers more than smartphones. It also applies to SIM-enabled tablets, routers, connected Internet of Things devices, point-of-sale terminals and other equipment designed to connect to Nigerian mobile networks.
The NCC has also clarified that the introduction of the new system does not mean Nigerians must register their existing mobile phones again. Devices already connected to Nigerian telecommunications networks before the system became operational on October 7, 2026, were automatically migrated to the new platform.
However, consumers purchasing second-hand phones or importing devices are encouraged to confirm their verification status before using them.
NCC Addresses Privacy Concerns and Warns Against Non-Compliant Devices
The introduction of the Device Checker Platform has also raised questions about the kind of information the commission can obtain from mobile devices.
Addressing these concerns, the NCC maintained that the platform was developed for device identification and regulatory compliance rather than surveillance.
The commission stated that the system does not provide access to users’ private content, including text messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other personal files stored on their phones.
It explained that the technology relies on device identification information, particularly IMEI numbers, to establish whether telecommunications equipment satisfies applicable regulatory requirements.
Beyond consumer protection, the commission believes the initiative will help address problems associated with substandard equipment, including potential interference with telecommunications networks and reduced service quality.
Under Nigeria’s existing Type Approval requirements, manufacturers and importers must ensure that communications equipment meets the country’s technical standards before it is sold or used locally.
The NCC has therefore encouraged manufacturers, distributors, importers and mobile phone dealers to familiarise themselves with its Type Approval and Device Verification Guide.
Consumers who encounter difficulties with device verification can also contact the commission through its toll-free consumer support number, 315.
Back Story: Nigeria’s Growing Efforts to Regulate Mobile Devices
The new application builds on the NCC’s wider Device Management System and existing regulatory framework for telecommunications equipment.
The commission has been working towards establishing a more reliable system for identifying mobile devices operating across Nigerian networks, particularly as counterfeit products, device cloning and unauthorised imports remain concerns within the telecommunications industry.
In October 2026, the NCC disclosed that approximately 231 million telecommunications devices had already been registered under its device management framework.
The commission has also strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, manufacturers, importers and mobile phone dealers to improve the identification of equipment entering the country.
Its latest efforts include regularising device dealers, improving licensing processes and increasing awareness of the technical requirements governing telecommunications equipment.
For consumers, the development introduces an additional precaution when purchasing mobile phones, particularly from unfamiliar sellers or second-hand device markets.
Although successful verification does not guarantee that every component of a phone is genuine or that the device has no technical faults, it provides an important way to establish its regulatory approval status.
The NCC is urging Nigerians to make device verification part of their purchasing decisions while encouraging businesses across the telecommunications supply chain to comply with the country’s equipment approval requirements.
