FG issues directive over SIM cards
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has ordered the registration and authentication of all SIM-enabled devices operating in Nigeria.
The move is aimed at identifying devices that are illegally imported or fail to meet the technical and regulatory standards set by the telecommunications regulator.
Under the new framework, SIM-enabled devices entering the Nigerian market will have to be registered before they can be sold.
Devices that are not registered will not be allowed to connect to Nigerian mobile networks.
The NCC announced the development in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, on Wednesday.
The commission said the new arrangement was part of efforts to improve compliance with its Type Approval rules.
The rules require communications equipment imported, sold or used in Nigeria to meet approved technical and regulatory standards.
To enforce the requirement, the NCC is introducing a technology-based system that will allow it to check electronically whether SIM-enabled devices have received the required Type Approval.
The system will operate through the Device Management System, which is expected to provide a central platform for monitoring communications devices and checking their compliance.
The commission said the system would also help improve the monitoring of devices in the Nigerian market and make it easier to detect equipment that does not meet the required standards.
The regulatory framework is based on Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
The provision requires licensed service and facilities providers, manufacturers and suppliers of communications equipment to obtain Type Approval from the NCC before such equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.
The commission said it had already started the first phase of the automated compliance programme and was working with the Nigeria Customs Service, Original Equipment Manufacturers, importers and relevant market associations.
The initial stage will involve registering devices that are already in stock and ensuring that newly imported SIM-enabled equipment is properly registered and authenticated.
The NCC said the process would make it easier to detect devices that were brought into Nigeria illegally or failed to meet regulatory requirements before such equipment becomes widely distributed.
The new system will also be linked to a Central Equipment Identity Register, which will keep records of SIM-enabled communications devices operating in Nigeria through their International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers.
The NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, said the Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024 provided the basis for the development of the central device registry.
The commission subsequently carried out consultations with stakeholders and conducted market studies before developing and deploying the system.
With the central IMEI database, the regulator will be able to check whether devices entering the Nigerian market have met the necessary requirements and whether they are permitted to operate on local networks.
The registration requirement is expected to cover mobile phones and other communications equipment capable of accepting SIM cards.
The NCC also said the system could help in the fight against the use of stolen devices. Devices reported as stolen could be identified through their IMEI numbers and blocked from accessing Nigerian mobile networks.
This means that changing the SIM card in a reported stolen phone would not necessarily allow the device to continue operating, as the restriction would be placed on the device itself rather than the subscriber’s SIM card.
The commission also addressed concerns about privacy that could arise from keeping a central record of devices.
According to the NCC, the system is intended for device identification and regulatory compliance. The information collected will include device identification details such as IMEI numbers.
The commission said the platform would not provide access to personal files stored on subscribers’ devices and would not allow it to monitor private communications.
The NCC expects the new registration system to improve the quality of communications equipment available in Nigeria and reduce the circulation of devices that do not meet approved standards.
The involvement of Customs, manufacturers and importers is also expected to allow regulatory authorities to detect improperly registered equipment earlier, particularly before such devices move through the wider market.
The development means people and businesses bringing SIM-enabled devices into Nigeria will have to pay closer attention to the registration and Type Approval requirements before putting the equipment up for sale or use.
