NCC to launch TIRMS anti-fraud platform in October

The Nigerian Communications Commission will roll out its Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System in October, a platform built to help banks and telecom operators flag suspicious mobile numbers before fraudulent transactions go through.

The commission confirmed the plan in a communiqué issued after its 110th board meeting held on September 9. Also approved at that meeting: zero-rating of educational platforms from October 1, and an update on network expansion, with operators having deployed 8,526 of the 12,179 additional coverage and capacity sites promised across the country.

How TIRMS will work

TIRMS is designed to identify high-risk Subscriber Identity Module cards and carry out real-time verification of subscriber information. It will track mobile numbers, technically known as Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Numbers, across different telecommunications networks.

The system will flag numbers considered risky because they have been recycled, swapped, abandoned or barred. That matters for financial institutions, which often cannot tell whether a mobile number still belongs to its original owner. Through the real-time verification feature, banks and authorised service providers will get faster access to relevant telephone data when verifying customers or investigating suspicious activity.

The NCC said the platform will improve governance of telecommunications identities, particularly mobile numbers, while cutting the risks tied to misuse, reassignment and recycling.

The stakes are clear in Nigeria, where fraudsters routinely use compromised or fraudulently registered SIM cards to reach victims' bank accounts and digital wallets.

Privacy concerns raised at board level

While backing the rollout, the NCC board insisted the system must comply with existing laws on privacy and data protection. It said deployment should protect consumers while safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria's telecommunications industry.

The position signals that banks and other participating organisations will be expected to balance fraud prevention with responsible handling of subscribers' personal information.

Free education sites from October 1

The NCC also announced that zero-rating of approved educational platforms and content starts on October 1. Zero-rating means users can access selected online services without the data consumed being deducted from their mobile data balances.

The aim is to widen access to learning materials and improve digital inclusion, especially for students who struggle with the cost of internet connectivity. The commission praised the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders for supporting the programme.

Network sites and fibre cuts

On infrastructure, the 8,526 sites deployed represent about 70 per cent of operators' commitments, a substantial jump from the roughly 5,000 sites reported at the board's previous meeting. The additional sites are expected to improve coverage, capacity and service quality.

But the board raised concern over a sharp increase in network disruptions recorded in June, largely caused by fibre cuts. It said infrastructure expansion must be backed by stronger protection for critical communications facilities, sustained investment in network resilience and better service reliability.

Separately, the NCC extended the deadline for registering SIM-enabled mobile phones and other communications devices on its Device Management System. Onboarding of existing devices in stock moved from September 7 to October 6, 2026, giving Original Equipment Manufacturers, importers, dealers and vendors more time to comply.

For banks and fintechs, TIRMS could tighten the loop between SIM registration records and account verification. For subscribers, the trade-off between faster fraud checks and data privacy will be the detail to watch when the platform goes live.