The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to urgently review the implementation of its mobile device verification and type approval requirements. The House expressed concerns over rising compliance costs, potential arbitrary phone blockages, and the financial strain on low-income citizens and small-scale retailers.
Moving the motion titled “Need to Review the Implementation of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Mobile Phone Device Verification Requirements,” Hon. Sani Adamu Wakili acknowledged the regulatory objectives behind the framework. However, he cautioned that the current approach risks disrupting legitimate trade and shutting out ordinary Nigerians from affordable digital access.
Under the enhanced framework, which came into effect on October 7, 2026, the NCC enforces device verification for SIM-enabled devices using International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers managed through the Device Management System (DMS) and the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).
While recognizing the NCC’s efforts to combat counterfeit, cloned, and stolen mobile devices, the House warned of critical operational challenges. Stringent compliance procedures on newly imported devices impose higher financial and administrative burdens on importers and retailers, inevitably driving up mobile phone prices nationwide. Also, technical errors, database mismatches, or system scanning limitations in the NCC verification portal could result in legitimately owned new and second-hand phones being incorrectly rejected or blocked. The complex requirements place an unfair burden on small-scale dealers and micro-importers, threatening access to affordable smartphones that are essential for basic communication, education, and small-business operations.
The House therefore urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to:
- Review the implementation of the device verification framework in consultation with key industry stakeholders, with a focus on simplifying procedures and drastically reducing compliance costs.
- Establish a fair, transparent, and easily accessible verification process for used and second-hand mobile phones to prevent legitimate devices from being unfairly rejected or blocked.
- Mandate the House Committees on Communications and Commerce to engage the NCC and relevant industry stakeholders on the framework’s implementation and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
- Mandate the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure full adherence to these directives.
Mobile connectivity is vital for educational, economic, and social activities throughout the country. Consequently, regulatory measures aimed at securing the telecom network from illicit devices must be balanced so they do not impose steep compliance costs on vulnerable populations or penalize genuine second-hand phone users.
