The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is expanding its device compliance campaign beyond Kano State through industry sensitisation, dealer licensing and digital verification tools aimed at curbing counterfeit, cloned and unauthorised mobile devices in Nigeria.
Tunji Jimoh, zonal controller at the NCC, disclosed this on Thursday while representing Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Commission, at a media briefing on the NCC Device Checker Platform held in Lagos.
Jimoh said the Commission had streamlined its licensing and regularisation process, enabling a significant number of device dealers in Kano to obtain licences. It had also conducted sensitisation engagements with importers and other industry participants in Lagos and other parts of the country to improve awareness of type approval requirements and obligations under the device checker framework.
The campaign signals a broader regulatory effort to address compliance gaps across the mobile device supply chain, from manufacturers and importers to distributors and retailers. By engaging industry participants and simplifying verification procedures, the NCC is seeking to make compliance easier while strengthening accountability for devices entering and circulating in the Nigerian market.
The initiative comes as Nigeria’s digital economy expands and mobile devices remain central to telecommunications, financial services and digital commerce. The circulation of counterfeit, cloned and non-compliant devices raises concerns about consumer protection, regulatory compliance and the integrity of communications networks.
To support the campaign, the Commission has developed a Device Checker application that allows authorised stakeholders to scan International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and upload device information directly to the platform. The tool is intended to improve the speed and efficiency of device verification and help industry participants identify potential compliance problems.
Consumers can also check a device’s status before purchase through the NCC’s online portal by entering its IMEI number. The Commission has published guidance for manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers outlining their responsibilities under the type approval and device verification framework.
Type approval is the regulatory process through which telecommunications equipment is assessed against applicable technical requirements before being marketed or used within the relevant regulatory framework. The NCC’s device checker is designed to help verify approval status and identify devices that may require further scrutiny.
The Commission is also encouraging consumers to buy from reputable and licensed dealers and to use its online resources before purchasing mobile devices. Consumers requiring assistance with device verification can contact the NCC through its 315 toll-free consumer line.
However, the effectiveness of the campaign will depend on the extent to which dealers, importers and distributors adopt the system and whether the Commission can consistently enforce compliance across the supply chain.
The Commission has also sought to address privacy concerns, stressing that the device checker is not a surveillance tool and does not access personal information, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other private content stored on users’ devices. Its function is limited to device identification and regulatory compliance verification.
The NCC said it remained committed to protecting consumers, promoting fair competition and strengthening network integrity, while urging industry stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the published requirements and comply with the Commission’s type approval rules.
The expansion of sensitisation beyond Kano suggests that the regulator is pursuing both administrative and technology-based approaches to device compliance.