The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned Nigerians to verify the approval and verification status of mobile phones before completing a purchase, saying devices that fail to meet applicable requirements could be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks.

The Commission said consumers can use its Device Checker service by dialling *315# or visiting its official website to determine whether a device has received the required Type Approval and is verified for use on Nigerian mobile networks, according to information posted on its website this week in the wake of public concern over alleged deactivation of unregistered devices across the country.

The strengthened device verification system took effect on October 7, 2026, with new devices brought into Nigeria by importers required to undergo verification under the applicable requirements, after the regulator announced the introduction of a nationwide device registration system.

In its frequently asked questions guide on the Device Checker and Type Approval, the Commission advised prospective buyers to confirm a device’s status before payment, particularly when purchasing second-hand phones or devices brought into the country from abroad. “Check that the result says the device is Type Approved and confirms the device is verified for use on Nigerian mobile networks,” the Commission advised.

According to the NCC, the initiative is intended to strengthen compliance with existing regulations, help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and support the reliability of telecommunications networks.

In its frequently asked questions guide on the Device Checker and Type Approval, the Commission advised prospective buyers to confirm a device’s status before payment, particularly when purchasing second-hand phones or devices brought into the country from abroad.

“Check that the result says the device is Type Approved and confirms the device is verified for use on Nigerian mobile networks,” the Commission advised.

The verification process provides consumers with an additional check to establish whether a device meets the regulator’s requirements before money changes hands.

NCC Device Checker: How Nigerians can check a phone before buying

The NCC said consumers can check a device through its USSD service by dialling *315# and following the instructions displayed.

Alternatively, buyers can visit the Commission’s Device Checker portal at www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceChecker.

Where a consumer wants to check a device other than the one currently being used, the system may request its 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.

The IMEI is a unique identifier assigned to a mobile device that connects to a cellular network. Consumers can retrieve the number by dialling *#06# on the device or checking the phone’s settings and original packaging. Some devices have more than one IMEI, depending on their configuration.

The Commission said the identifier helps regulators and mobile network operators identify devices and supports efforts to detect cloned IMEIs and devices reported stolen.

Consumers are expected to confirm that the verification result indicates both Type Approval and verification for use on Nigerian mobile networks.

The NCC also advised buyers not to complete a transaction if the Device Checker returns an unsuccessful result that the seller has not clarified or resolved.

However, an unsuccessful verification result does not automatically mean that a device is counterfeit. Buyers who encounter such a result should seek clarification from the seller or contact their service provider or the Commission for assistance.

The distinction is important because a device may require additional verification without necessarily being fake or substandard.

Second-hand and imported phones require particular attention

The verification requirements have implications for Nigeria’s second-hand phone market, where consumers frequently purchase pre-owned devices or receive phones from relatives and friends.

The NCC said consumers can continue buying used phones but should verify their status before payment rather than relying solely on a seller’s assurances or the device’s previous use.

The Commission cautioned that a phone having previously connected to a Nigerian mobile network should not be treated as sufficient proof of its current verification status when being purchased.

For prospective buyers, checking the device before payment provides an opportunity to resolve potential compliance issues with the seller before money changes hands.

The NCC also clarified that phones purchased locally, including new and second-hand devices, and phones passed between family members or friends do not ordinarily require additional action under the new system.

However, buyers should still check the device when purchasing a used phone, particularly if the Device Checker indicates that further verification is necessary.

Devices purchased outside Nigeria are also subject to the applicable Type Approval and verification requirements before they can be used on local networks with Nigerian SIM cards.

The Commission said personal imports could follow a different procedure from devices imported in bulk for commercial distribution.

Individuals who personally purchase phones abroad can complete the applicable verification process using details of their travel history. The NCC advised such consumers to call 315 for guidance.

Visitors bringing phones that have never been used on Nigerian networks and intend to use Nigerian SIM cards can use them for up to 30 cumulative days within a one-year period without verification, according to the Commission.

International roaming with a foreign SIM is not affected by the system.

Existing phone users do not need to panic

The introduction of the verification system may raise concerns among Nigerians who are already using mobile phones purchased before the new arrangements took effect.

However, the NCC said phones connected to Nigerian mobile networks before October 7, 2026, had been automatically verified, meaning existing users do not need to take additional steps simply because the system has commenced.

The Commission said phones already in use and devices purchased within Nigeria would not ordinarily require further action, unless a device could not be verified or was affected by a compliance restriction.

This means the system should not be interpreted as a general requirement for every Nigerian phone owner to register an existing handset independently.

Instead, the verification process is intended to establish whether devices meet the applicable regulatory requirements, with particular attention to new devices entering the market and consumers checking a device before purchase.

The NCC also explained that consumers buying SIM-enabled devices from Nigerian sellers are not normally responsible for obtaining Type Approval or submitting the device’s IMEI themselves.

Those obligations fall on the relevant manufacturers, importers, suppliers and other businesses involved in placing communications equipment on the Nigerian market.

Non-compliant phones could lose network access

The NCC said devices confirmed not to meet applicable requirements, including counterfeit or substandard devices, would be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks.

The Commission identified compliance with technical standards as an important consideration in ensuring that communications devices are suitable for use in the country.

Type Approval is an existing regulatory requirement under which communications equipment must meet approved technical standards before being sold or used in Nigeria.

The Commission said it is using technology to make compliance checks and enforcement more efficient and consistent, rather than introducing an entirely new Type Approval obligation.

The legal framework includes the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and the Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations 2024, alongside supporting Type Approval business rules, according to the telecoms regulator.

The strengthened verification process therefore gives consumers a way to check a device’s reported compliance status while supporting the regulator’s enforcement of existing requirements.

The policy covers more than smartphones. According to the NCC, it also applies to feature phones, eligible cellular Internet of Things devices, cellular tablets, SIM-enabled laptops, SIM-enabled point-of-sale terminals and other devices designed to connect to Nigerian mobile networks.

This wider scope has implications for businesses that rely on connected equipment, including merchants using cellular-enabled payment terminals and organisations deploying connected devices.

However, the Commission’s guidance does not mean that every device that fails an initial check has automatically been classified as counterfeit. The status must be clarified through the prescribed verification process.

NCC addresses privacy and fraud concerns

The use of device identifiers in the verification process may raise questions about the information collected and how it is used.

The NCC said the technology supporting the Device Checker uses identification information, including IMEI numbers, to verify compliance. Device identifiers may also be associated with mobile numbers for verification and regulatory purposes.

However, the Commission said the system does not give it access to personal content stored on a device, including messages, photographs and other files.

It also said the Device Checker does not enable the Commission to listen to calls or track users’ physical locations and movements.

Consumers must also remain alert to scams that could exploit the verification process.

The NCC advised users to rely only on the official USSD code and its Device Checker website. Where the verification process requires a one-time code, consumers should enter it only through the official process and must not disclose it to sellers, callers or other individuals.

The Commission said its staff would not require consumers to disclose their one-time verification codes.

Consumers who encounter verification problems can call 315 or contact their mobile service provider or the NCC through its official consumer support channels.

Verification does not guarantee every component is genuine

Although the Device Checker can confirm a device’s reported Type Approval and verification status, the NCC cautioned that a successful result does not amount to a complete assessment of the handset.

The check does not necessarily establish the phone’s physical condition, repair history, software integrity, authenticity of every component or accuracy of all claims made by the seller.

Consumers are therefore advised to buy from trustworthy sellers and inspect devices carefully before making payment.

The Commission’s guidance also outlines a process for stolen phones. Once a theft has been reported and ownership verified, the device can be blocked across Nigerian mobile networks to prevent unauthorised network use and support recovery efforts.

For consumers, the new system makes regulatory verification another consideration when purchasing a phone, alongside price, condition, warranty and the seller’s reputation.

The NCC’s advice is that buyers should establish a device’s compliance status before paying, while sellers and businesses in the supply chain should ensure that the applicable approval and verification requirements have been met.