NCC Rolls Out *315# Device Checker to Tackle Fake Phones, Protect Nigerian Consumers

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a device verification service that enables consumers to check the regulatory status of mobile phones and other communication devices before purchasing them, as part of a broader effort to combat counterfeit products, cloned devices and equipment that do not meet approved technical standards.

The service, known as the NCC Device Checker, allows users to verify eligible devices by dialling *315# on their mobile phones or visiting the Commission’s official website. The initiative forms part of an enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework that took effect on October 7, 2026, aimed at strengthening consumer protection, improving telecommunications network reliability and ensuring that devices entering the Nigerian market comply with regulatory requirements.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, October 13, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, said the Commission was intensifying the enforcement of existing regulations to protect consumers and maintain confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.

According to Ogoh, Type Approval is an important regulatory process that ensures communication devices meet the required technical standards before they are sold or used in the country. He explained that the strengthened framework would improve the Commission’s ability to monitor compliance and take action against businesses involved in supplying non-compliant equipment.

The NCC said it had engaged original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications service providers, government agencies and industry associations following the issuance of its Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024. It also worked with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to examine devices already in stock and ensure that newly imported equipment undergoes the necessary checks.

Under the new arrangement, consumers can verify a device by dialling *315# and following the instructions displayed. Alternatively, they can visit the Commission’s official Device Checker portal at www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker.

Consumers checking a phone other than the one they are currently using may be required to provide its 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. The number can be obtained by dialling *#06# on the device or checking the phone’s settings and original packaging.

The Commission advised Nigerians to verify devices before completing purchases, particularly when buying second-hand phones or devices imported from abroad. Buyers are encouraged to confirm that a device has the required Type Approval and is verified for use on Nigerian mobile networks before making payment.

However, the NCC clarified that consumers purchasing devices from local Nigerian sellers are not responsible for obtaining Type Approval themselves. The obligation primarily rests on manufacturers, importers, suppliers and businesses placing the equipment on the market.

The Commission explained that counterfeit phones are products manufactured or marketed to imitate genuine devices without the original manufacturer’s authorisation. Such devices may copy a recognised brand’s name, logo, model or other features to mislead buyers into believing they are purchasing an authentic product.

Cloned devices present a different challenge. They use an IMEI number assigned to another legitimate device, potentially making it difficult to distinguish between multiple devices connected to telecommunications networks. The practice can also undermine efforts to identify stolen equipment and prevent fraudulent activities.

Under the strengthened compliance framework, devices confirmed to be non-compliant with applicable requirements may be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks. The NCC said the measure was intended to discourage the circulation of counterfeit and unapproved equipment while supporting a safer and more reliable telecommunications environment.

Nevertheless, the Commission cautioned that an unsuccessful verification result does not automatically establish that a phone is counterfeit. Consumers who encounter verification difficulties are advised to seek clarification from the seller, their telecommunications provider or the NCC before reaching a conclusion about the device.

The NCC has also addressed concerns about whether the new framework will affect phones already in use across the country. According to the Commission, devices that were connected to Nigerian mobile networks before the framework took effect on October 7, 2026, were automatically verified and generally require no additional action from their owners.

The framework covers a range of SIM-enabled equipment designed to connect to Nigerian mobile networks, including smartphones, feature phones, cellular tablets, eligible Internet of Things devices, SIM-enabled point-of-sale terminals and cellular laptops.

The Commission further clarified that the service is designed to verify device identity and regulatory compliance, not to monitor users’ private communications. It said the system does not give the NCC access to personal content such as calls, messages, photographs, contacts or other files stored on a device, nor does it track users’ physical movements.

International roaming with foreign SIM cards is also unaffected. However, visitors bringing devices that have never connected to a Nigerian network and intending to use Nigerian SIM cards may use them for up to 30 cumulative days within a one-year period without verification, in line with the Commission’s guidance.

As the service becomes more widely used, the Commission has urged consumers to remain vigilant against fraudsters who may attempt to exploit the verification process. Nigerians are advised to use only the official *315# service and the NCC website when checking their devices.

The agency particularly warned consumers never to disclose one-time verification codes to sellers, callers or other individuals. Where a code is required during an official verification process, it should be entered only through the authorised procedure.

The framework is backed by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations 2024 and the Type Approval Business Rules 2024. The NCC maintains that it is strengthening the enforcement of an existing regulatory requirement rather than introducing a new obligation for consumers.

The Commission has called on manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications operators, consumer groups and media organisations to support public awareness efforts and promote compliance with the rules.

It said the initiative forms part of its broader commitment to protecting telecommunications consumers, strengthening technical standards and improving the reliability of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.