The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is strengthening its enforcement of Type Approval requirements for communications devices as it moves toward an automated system for verifying SIM-enabled devices entering and operating in Nigeria.
The new compliance framework will be supported by the Device Management System (DMS), which is designed to automate Type Approval verification and give the regulator greater oversight of devices within Nigeria’s communications ecosystem.
Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, manufacturers, suppliers and licensed service and facilities providers are required to obtain NCC Type Approval before communications equipment can be sold or used in the country. The Commission says the new system will improve compliance with technical standards, help identify non-compliant devices and strengthen consumer confidence.
The first phase of the initiative is already underway, with the NCC working alongside the Nigeria Customs Service, original equipment manufacturers, importers and market associations. The initial focus is on registering devices already in stock while ensuring that future imports are properly registered and authenticated.
A key component of the framework is the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), established under the NCC’s Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024. The register will contain the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of SIM-enabled communications devices in Nigeria.
Going forward, SIM-enabled devices imported into Nigeria will have to be registered before they can be sold. Devices that fail to meet the registration requirements will not be permitted to operate on Nigerian mobile networks.
The system is also expected to make it easier to detect illegally imported and non-compliant devices. It could also help block stolen devices reported to the relevant authorities from accessing Nigerian mobile networks.
The NCC has, however, clarified that the initiative is focused on device identification and regulatory compliance, rather than monitoring users. According to the Commission, the system will maintain device information such as IMEI numbers but will not provide access to the contents of users’ devices or their personal communications.
The move marks a further shift toward technology-driven regulation of Nigeria’s telecommunications market, with the NCC seeking to improve control over the devices entering the country while ensuring that equipment connected to Nigerian networks meets established regulatory standards.
