NCC warns of possible disconnection of unverified phones after 30 Days

…Commission urges users to check device status via 315# as enforcement gathers pace*

By Adebola Muili

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that mobile phones and other SIM-enabled devices that fail to meet its verification requirements could be disconnected from Nigerian telecommunications networks after 30 cumulative days.

The warning follows text messages received by some mobile phone users from Saturday, October 10, 2026, notifying them that their devices had not been verified for use on Nigerian networks.

In a statement on its website, the commission said it was strengthening enforcement of existing type approval requirements through a technology-driven Device Management System (DMS) designed to identify devices that do not comply with prescribed technical and regulatory standards.

The commission’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, said the system would improve the registration and monitoring of communications devices imported into, sold and used in Nigeria.

“With the deployment of this system, all SIM-enabled communications devices brought into the country must be registered before they are sold. Devices that are not duly registered will not be permitted to operate on Nigerian networks,” Ogoh said.

According to the commission, the framework is also intended to make it easier to identify illegally imported and non-compliant devices, while enabling the blocking of phones reported stolen across Nigerian mobile networks.

The development has generated concerns among consumers, particularly those whose devices were purchased abroad or through independent retailers and who are uncertain about their phones’ approval status.

Users of various smartphone brands, including Apple, Google Pixel, Tecno, Infinix and Oukitel, have reportedly received the alerts, suggesting that the exercise is not restricted to a particular manufacturer.

To enable consumers to verify their devices, the NCC has provided a Device Checker service accessible by dialling *315# and following the prompts. Users can also visit the commission’s official website to check whether a device model is type-approved and verified for use on Nigerian networks.

The NCC clarified that the system is intended to verify devices and does not grant the commission access to users’ personal content, including text messages, photographs and other files stored on their phones.

The commission’s guidelines state that devices already connected to Nigerian networks before October 7, 2026, when the system took effect, were automatically verified and do not require additional action from their owners.

Phones purchased within Nigeria, whether new or second-hand, also do not ordinarily require owners to undertake a separate registration process. However, consumers whose devices are flagged should follow the official verification instructions and contact their sellers or service providers for assistance.

For individuals who imported phones for personal use, the commission says a separate verification procedure may apply. Affected users are advised to contact the NCC through its designated consumer support channels for guidance.

The regulatory framework is backed by Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and the Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations 2024, which establish requirements for communications equipment to receive the necessary approval before being sold or used in Nigeria.

The NCC has urged consumers to check their devices through its official channels and exercise caution when dealing with individuals offering unofficial registration or verification services.

The commission’s initiative is expected to strengthen oversight of Nigeria’s mobile device market, although consumers with imported phones remain concerned about the verification process and the possibility of losing network access.