By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to verify whether mobile phones and other communication devices have received regulatory approval before purchasing them.
The Commission advised consumers to use its Device Checker service, accessible by dialling *315#, to confirm the approval status of devices offered for sale.
The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, gave the advice during a media engagement on the Commission’s Device Checker and Type Approval initiative.
Ogoh urged Nigerians buying mobile phones, tablets, modems, Point of Sale (POS) terminals and other SIM-enabled devices to ask sellers about their approval status and independently verify their compliance with NCC requirements.
According to him, the initiative is designed to protect consumers, promote compliance with technical standards and strengthen the reliability and efficiency of Nigeria’s telecommunications networks.
The Commission explained that devices that do not meet applicable requirements could create challenges for network performance and regulatory oversight.
It said compliance with type approval standards was therefore important to maintaining a reliable telecommunications ecosystem.
NCC Addresses Privacy Concerns
Ogoh also addressed concerns about the handling of device information, stressing that the initiative was intended to support device identification and regulatory compliance rather than surveillance.
He explained that the framework could retain device identification details, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, for regulatory purposes.
However, he said the initiative does not give the Commission access to users’ personal communications, photographs, messages, contacts, financial information or other content stored on their devices.
The director reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to consumer privacy, transparency and public awareness, adding that continuous sensitisation would help Nigerians understand the purpose of the initiative.
Commission Calls for Wider Collaboration
Ogoh called for cooperation among government agencies, telecommunications operators, equipment manufacturers, dealers, market associations, consumer groups and the media to promote compliance.
He said consumers also had a role to play by checking the approval status of devices before buying them.
The Commission maintained that effective regulation and adherence to technical standards were essential to protecting consumers and supporting a stronger telecommunications sector.
Consumers can dial *315# to access the NCC Device Checker service and verify whether a device has received the required approval.
Source: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
