The Nigerian Communications Commission has begun implementing enhanced checks to identify fake, cloned and unapproved communication devices in Nigeria, warning that equipment that fails to meet regulatory standards could be prevented from accessing telecommunications networks.
The initiative, known as the enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework, is designed to strengthen consumer protection, improve network performance and ensure that devices sold or used in Nigeria meet established technical requirements.
The NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing at the commission’s head office annex in Mbora, Abuja.
Ogoh said the framework would allow the regulator to electronically verify the approval status of devices equipped with SIM functionality, making it easier to identify products that do not comply with applicable standards.
He explained that the quality and safety of devices connected to telecommunications networks were essential to maintaining reliable services and protecting consumers.
According to him, Type Approval goes beyond regulatory compliance, serving as a safeguard for consumers, network performance and confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Ogoh cited Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which provides the legal basis for requiring relevant communications equipment to obtain Type Approval before being sold or used in the country.
He said the enhanced framework would improve regulatory oversight, strengthen compliance with technical standards and create a fairer operating environment for legitimate businesses.
The commission has engaged stakeholders across the device supply chain since issuing its Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024.
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The consultations involved manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications operators, government agencies and industry associations.
The NCC is also working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to implement the framework and improve verification across the device market.
Ogoh disclosed that devices already in stock were being onboarded into the system, while newly imported devices would undergo the required verification and authentication processes.
He said the system would help the commission identify fake, cloned and non-compliant devices and prevent them from connecting to telecommunications networks.
The regulator urged Nigerians to check the approval status of devices before purchasing them and to ask sellers whether products had received NCC Type Approval.
The directive covers SIM-enabled equipment, including mobile phones, tablets, modems and point-of-sale terminals.
Ogoh warned that devices that fail to meet the required standards could undermine network performance and make regulatory monitoring more difficult.
The initiative comes as the NCC steps up efforts to address concerns over the quality and authenticity of communication devices in the Nigerian market.8
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Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
