By Augustine Aminu

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it plans to expand phone number verification across sectors to reduce fraud linked to recycled numbers and compromised digital identities.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, disclosed this at the commission’s 95th Telecom Consumer Parliament in Lagos on Tuesday.

Maida said the proposed expansion of the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), would help organisations identify recycled phone numbers and numbers flagged for fraudulent activities.

He explained that phone numbers had become essential to accessing financial services, managing pensions and conducting online transactions, making their protection critical to Nigeria’s digital economy.

The NCC boss also disclosed that the commission recorded more than 6,500 network interventions in 2026 to improve connectivity through equipment upgrades and capacity expansion.

He added that 75 million subscribers had received airtime compensation for poor service, while nearly three million subscribers were refunded for failed airtime and data transactions.

Maida said the commission was also developing guidelines to improve data usage notifications and tariff transparency, enabling subscribers to monitor consumption and understand charges more clearly.

He urged consumers to verify mobile devices through the NCC Device Checker by dialling *315# or calling 315. Subscribers with unresolved complaints were advised to contact their service providers first before escalating the matter to the commission through its toll-free line, 622.

The NCC executive commissioner for stakeholder management, Ms Rimini Makama, said the Telecom Consumer Parliament would promote practical measures to improve network reliability, transparent billing and timely resolution of complaints.

She added that the commission would review concerns raised at previous sessions and encourage service providers to take responsibility for improving consumer experience.