The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a device verification service that allows consumers to check whether mobile phones and other SIM-enabled devices meet regulatory requirements before purchase, in a move to curb counterfeit and non-compliant devices in Nigeria. The service, accessible by dialling *315#, forms part of an enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework that took effect on October 7, 2026. According to Channels Television, the initiative is designed to protect consumers, improve network integrity and ensure communications equipment sold in Nigeria meets the country’s technical standards. Speaking in Abuja, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, said the framework strengthens enforcement of existing regulations rather than introducing a new approval requirement for consumers.
Under the new framework, buyers can dial *315# and follow the prompts to check a device, or visit the NCC’s official online portal. Consumers checking a phone other than the one they currently use may need its 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which can be retrieved by dialling *#06#. The Commission particularly recommends checking devices before payment when buying second-hand phones or imported handsets. However, the NCC clarified that an unsuccessful verification result does not automatically mean a device is counterfeit. Buyers should ask sellers to resolve any verification issues before completing a transaction. Manufacturers, importers and suppliers remain responsible for meeting applicable approval and verification requirements, while devices confirmed to be non-compliant may be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks.
The initiative also introduces a more structured approach to identifying cloned devices, which may use the same IMEI number as legitimate phones, and supporting efforts to block stolen devices across Nigerian networks. The NCC has assured consumers that the system does not give the Commission access to personal content such as calls, messages, photographs or files, nor does it track users’ physical locations. According to the regulator’s official guidance, phones already connected to Nigerian mobile networks before October 7 were automatically verified, meaning most existing users do not need to take any action. The Commission has nevertheless warned consumers to use only the official *315# service or its website and never disclose one-time verification codes to sellers or callers. The rollout forms part of broader efforts to strengthen consumer protection and build confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications market.
