The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), apex regular in the communications industry, has called on consumers to confirm that SIM-enabled devices are Type Approved before paying for them.
Speaking recently in Abuja, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity, during a press briefing, on the Commission’s implementation of enhanced Type Approval Compliance.
“When buying a phone, tablet, modem, POS terminal or any device that uses a SIM,” consumers should ask the seller whether it is NCC Type Approved, he said.
He explained that the framework enables electronic verification of the Type Approval status of SIM-enabled devices. It is meant to help identify non-compliant, cloned or fake devices and stop them from connecting to Nigerian networks. Devices already in stock are being onboarded, and future imports will be verified and authenticated.
Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, service providers, facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers must obtain Type Approval before equipment is sold or used in Nigeria.
On privacy, Ogoh said the framework is not a surveillance tool. It holds only device identification information, such as IMEI numbers, for regulatory purposes. It gives the Commission no access to the content of communications, photographs, messages, contacts, financial information or other personal data on users’ devices.
He said the Commission developed the approach after the August 2024 Type Approval Business Rules, through consultations with original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, service providers, government agencies and industry associations. It continues to work with the Nigeria Customs Service and market associations, and will intensify public awareness activities.
