NCC Urges Nigerians to Verify Mobile Phones Before Purchase

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to verify the status of mobile phones before purchasing them to avoid counterfeit, cloned, stolen and unauthorised devices.

The NCC Kano Zonal Controller, Maigana Gidado, made the call at a press conference in Kano on Thursday while briefing the public on the implementation of the commission’s Device Checker Platform.

Gidado said the platform was designed to strengthen compliance with equipment type approval requirements, protect consumers and improve the integrity of communication devices connected to Nigerian networks.

He explained that the initiative would help ensure that mobile devices meet established technical and regulatory standards as Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand.

According to him, the commission has streamlined its licensing and regularisation processes, enabling more device dealers in Kano State to obtain licences.

He added that the NCC had conducted sensitisation programmes for importers and other industry stakeholders in Lagos and other parts of the country to improve awareness and compliance.

Gidado said the commission had also developed a user-friendly Device Checker application that allows authorised stakeholders to scan device International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and upload relevant information directly to the platform.

He clarified that the platform was not a surveillance tool, stressing that it does not access users’ personal data, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other private content stored on mobile phones.

“Its purpose is limited to device identification and regulatory compliance verification,” he said.

The NCC controller said consumers could check the status of mobile devices before purchase through the commission’s online Check Your Device portal.

He also directed manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers to consult the Type Approval and Device Verification Guide available at www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide for information on their regulatory obligations.

Gidado encouraged Nigerians to buy mobile phones from reputable and licensed dealers and make use of the commission’s online resources and consumer support channels.

He urged industry stakeholders to comply with the NCC’s type approval requirements, adding that the commission remained committed to consumer protection, fair competition, network integrity and a trusted telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria.