The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that mobile phones without the required regulatory approval could be disconnected from telecommunications networks in Nigeria after 30 cumulative days.
Newsonspot reports that the commission has introduced a verification process that allows phone owners to check whether their devices meet its requirements before enforcement action is taken.
Users can check the status of their phones by dialling the USSD code *315# and selecting option 1, which allows them to verify their devices.
Phones that fail the verification process could lose access to Nigerian telecommunications networks after the 30-day period.
The move is part of the NCC’s Device Management System (DMS) and Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), which are designed to identify and restrict the use of mobile devices that do not have the required type approval in Nigeria.
Some users have reportedly received text messages warning them about the status of their devices. The affected brands mentioned include Apple iPhone, Tecno, Infinix, Oukitel and Google Pixel.
The messages reportedly advise recipients to contact the sellers who supplied their phones or dial 315 for further information on the verification process.
The development has raised concerns among phone owners, particularly those who bought their devices outside Nigeria or purchased them from local retailers without knowing whether the products had received the necessary regulatory approval.
Consumers may now need to confirm the status of their devices to avoid losing access to mobile networks if their phones fail to meet the commission’s requirements.
However, the NCC says the policy is intended to address several problems affecting the country’s telecommunications and mobile phone markets.
According to the commission’s objectives, the system will help reduce the circulation of counterfeit and substandard phones, tackle phone theft and prevent cloned or stolen devices from being used to carry out criminal activities.
The initiative is also expected to improve telecommunications service quality by allowing the regulator to identify mobile devices operating on Nigerian networks.
The verification system relies on the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a unique number assigned to mobile devices. The number helps identify individual handsets and enables the commission to monitor their status within the telecommunications system.
Through the Device Management System and Central Equipment Identity Register, the NCC is seeking to strengthen its oversight of mobile devices connected to networks across the country.
The enforcement process is also aimed at improving compliance among phone manufacturers, importers and dealers responsible for bringing mobile devices into the Nigerian market.
Phone owners who receive warning messages are advised to check their devices through the designated USSD code and seek clarification from their sellers or the commission if they have concerns about their phones’ approval status.
As implementation progresses, clear information on verification outcomes, appeals and procedures for resolving disputed device classifications will be essential to protect consumers from unnecessary service disruptions.
The initiative marks another step in the NCC’s efforts to strengthen control over devices connected to Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, with significant implications for subscribers, handset dealers and the wider mobile phone.
