The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has moved to calm fears about its new device compliance system, saying that people whose phones were already connected to Nigerian networks before the policy took effect need to do nothing. The system went live on October 7, 2026, and, according to the regulator, devices active on local networks before that date have been automatically verified.
The rules mainly target newly imported or newly sold SIM-enabled devices, which must now be type-approved by the NCC and verified before they can be used normally on Nigerian networks.
What type approval means
Type approval is the process by which a regulator confirms that a device model meets technical and safety standards for use in the country. The NCC says the stronger enforcement is meant to reduce counterfeit and substandard handsets, protect consumers and make it harder to use stolen or cloned devices.
For buyers, the main practical change is to check a phone’s status before paying, especially when buying from informal markets or online sellers.
Key points
- Start date: the compliance system took effect on October 7, 2026.
- Existing users: phones already on networks before that date need no action.
- New devices: must be NCC type-approved and verified.
- How to check: dial *315# or use the NCC device checker online with the phone’s IMEI.
How to check a phone
- Find the IMEI number by dialling *#06# on the device or checking the box.
- Dial *315# or visit the NCC device checker page and enter the IMEI.
- If the result shows the device is not compliant, return to the seller or contact your service provider before completing the purchase.
Phone dealers in Lagos’s Computer Village and other markets have said they are adjusting their stock checks to comply. Consumer groups have encouraged the NCC to keep publicising the process so that buyers in smaller towns are not caught out. The regulator has said it will continue to update its list of approved models.
Photo: Unsplash (illustrative).
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