NCC Expands Phone Verification to Combat Fraud Risks

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to expand phone number verification across multiple sectors to mitigate fraud risks associated with recycled numbers and compromised digital identities. Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, announced this initiative on Tuesday in Lagos during the commission’s 95th Telecom Consumer Parliament.

The expansion of the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) aims to assist organizations in identifying recycled phone numbers and those flagged for fraudulent activities. Maida highlighted the growing significance of phone numbers in accessing financial services, managing pensions, and online shopping.

The NCC is collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement this system across sectors reliant on phone numbers for customer identification and transaction facilitation. Additionally, Maida noted that 75 million subscribers received airtime compensation for poor service in 2026, and nearly three million subscribers were refunded for failed transactions under a framework developed with the CBN and telecom operators.