Concerns Rise Over NCC's Device Management Deadline

Device importers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), dealers, and vendors have raised significant concerns over the October 6, 2026 deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for onboarding existing devices onto its Device Management System (DMS). Stakeholders indicated that the timeframe may not be adequate for businesses, especially those with large volumes of devices and IMEIs to register.

They highlighted uncertainties in the registration process, including the lack of a clear procedure for appealing cases where devices are flagged due to legitimate IMEI alterations. An OEM expressed worries about the financial implications of the DMS implementation, particularly for shipments already dispatched, which may incur additional compliance costs.

The NCC's communication did not clarify the economic impact of the onboarding requirement for devices in transit. Stakeholders also questioned the DMS platform's capacity to handle a surge in registrations, noting that a recent demonstration by the NCC was not seamless, raising concerns about potential system instability as the deadline approaches.