NCC Registers 231 Million Devices to Combat Counterfeits

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has registered around 231 million telecommunications devices in Nigeria as it initiates a verification system to prevent counterfeit, cloned, and unapproved phones from accessing mobile networks. This initiative aims to enhance consumer protection, improve network quality, and assist regulators in tracking devices imported and sold in Nigeria.

Edoyemi Ogoh, the Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, announced this during a media briefing in Abuja. The NCC has automatically registered devices already in use, meaning existing subscribers do not need to verify their phones again.

However, new devices must meet verification requirements before accessing networks. The NCC will not disconnect devices that were already connected prior to the new system.

The commission is collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to authenticate devices before they enter the market. This framework follows the introduction of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024 and is designed to address issues related to counterfeit devices affecting network performance.