By Juliet Umeh

A buyer can inspect a phone’s screen, camera and casing, but it may be harder to tell whether the device meets the technical standards required for use on Nigerian networks. The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, is urging consumers to check a device’s status before paying for it.

The scale of the market gives the advice added weight. About 63 million devices are sold in Nigeria each year, according to Original Equipment Manufacturers’ data cited in an NCC project memorandum published in 2022. The figure is a historical estimate of devices sold, not a current count of yearly imports or smartphone shipments. 

In October 2026, the Commission said about 231 million devices already active on Nigerian networks had been automatically verified before its new Device Checker framework took effect. That is a count of devices on networks, rather than a yearly sales figure. 

At a media briefing in Lagos, NCC Zonal Controller Tunji Jimoh said the platform was intended to strengthen Type Approval compliance, protect consumers and improve the integrity of devices used on Nigerian networks.

“The purpose of this briefing is to update the public on the Nigerian Communications Commission’s implementation of the NCC Device Checker Platform,” Jimoh said in an address on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman.

“As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, it is important that devices connected to our networks comply with established technical and regulatory standards,” he said.

Checking a device

The platform helps consumers check whether a device model has received NCC Type Approval and whether an individual device is verified for use on Nigerian networks. Buyers can retrieve a phone’s 15-digit IMEI by dialling *#06#, then enter it on the NCC’s “Check Your Device” portal. The Commission has also directed consumers to use its *315# channel for support and device-related enquiries.

Type Approval applies to a particular brand and model. Assistant Director and Head of Wireless Network Technical Standard and Network Integrity, Engr Kings Adeyemi, at the NCC, explained that manufacturers submit device samples, test reports and certifications for assessment. The Commission examines the sample against Nigeria’s technical requirements before approving the model.

Adeyemi said the Device Checker was introduced to help identify counterfeit, cloned and non-compliant devices. He compared the potential effect of a faulty handset to that of a defective electrical appliance connected to a household supply: it may affect more than the item itself.

Mobile phones adjust their transmission power according to their distance from a base station. A non-compliant device may not respond properly to network controls and could transmit signals in a way that interferes with network operations, Adeyemi explained.

The NCC says counterfeit or substandard devices may also pose consumer risks, including poor service, safety problems and difficulty obtaining reliable support or warranty service. However, the Commission cautions that an unsuccessful verification does not, by itself, prove that a device is counterfeit. Consumers should seek clarification from the seller or the Commission.

Privacy and compliance

Addressing concerns about what the platform can see, Jimoh stressed that it “is not a surveillance tool.”

“It does not access personal data, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information, or any other private content stored on a device. Its purpose is limited to device identification and regulatory compliance verification.” The technical presentation described the platform as using an IMEI to check device information against a global database.

It also referred to associating a device IMEI with subscriber mobile identification information to communicate verification results.
The NCC has also developed an IMEI-scanning application for authorised businesses. Adeyemi said dealers and distributors previously entered device identification numbers manually, a process that could lead to errors and delays. The scanner is designed to capture IMEIs, flag duplicate entries and organise information for upload.

Jimoh said the Commission had streamlined licensing and regularisation for device dealers in Kano State and held sensitisation engagements with importers and other industry participants in Lagos and elsewhere.

“We encourage consumers to verify device status before purchase, patronise reputable and licensed dealers, and utilise the Commission’s online resources and consumer support channels,” he said.

The Commission has published a Type Approval and Device Verification Guide for manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers. Jimoh urged industry participants to familiarise themselves with the guide and comply with Type Approval requirements.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission remains committed to protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, strengthening network integrity, and fostering a trusted communications ecosystem for all Nigerians,” he said.