NCC launches device checker to expose fake, cloned mobile phones

The Nigerian Communications Commission has introduced a Device Checker Platform and an IMEI scanning app to curb counterfeit, cloned and unapproved mobile phones on Nigerian networks. Tunji Jimoh, Director of the NCC Lagos Zonal Office, announced the tools at a media briefing in Lagos on Thursday, October 29.

Jimoh said the rapid expansion of Nigeria's digital economy required stronger oversight of communications equipment. He said: "As Nigeria's digital economy continues to expand, it is important that devices connected to our networks comply with established technical and regulatory standards."

How the checker works

The Device Checker Platform lets consumers confirm whether a phone or other SIM-enabled device has received regulatory approval before purchase. It is accessible through the NCC website at www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker.

To use the platform, consumers need the device's International Mobile Equipment Identity number, a unique 15-digit code assigned to every mobile handset. The number can be retrieved by dialling *#06# on the phone.

The NCC also rolled out a separate application for authorised industry operators to scan IMEI numbers and upload device details directly to the commission's database. The initiative sits within the NCC's equipment approval framework.

Type approval rules

Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, manufacturers, suppliers and service providers must obtain regulatory type approval before applicable equipment is sold or used in Nigeria. The commission has published a Type Approval and Device Verification Guide to help importers, distributors and retailers understand the requirements.

Jimoh also addressed concerns that the system could be used to monitor phone owners or retrieve personal information. He said: "The Device Checker Platform is not a surveillance tool. It does not access personal data, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information, or any other private content stored on a device."

The NCC's wider Device Management System can help identify illegally imported phones and devices that do not meet technical standards. It supports the blocking of stolen devices across Nigerian mobile networks. Jimoh clarified that the system does not disclose a device's location or guarantee its recovery.

Compliance push

The commission said it had been conducting awareness campaigns with importers and telecommunications operators in Lagos and other states. It also reported progress in licensing device dealers in Kano State.

The NCC advised consumers to buy phones from reputable dealers and verify their regulatory status before making payments. Businesses importing and selling communications equipment were urged to comply with type approval requirements. Consumers and businesses seeking assistance can contact the commission through its toll-free helpline on 315.

In an earlier update, the NCC said 75 million telecommunications subscribers received compensation for poor network service delivery. Nearly three million subscribers received refunds for failed airtime and data purchases, while operators carried out more than 6,500 network interventions in 2026, covering equipment upgrades, new site deployments and capacity expansion in high-demand areas.

The device checker gives buyers a simple way to avoid unapproved handsets, but it also puts pressure on importers and dealers to clean up their inventory before regulators step up enforcement.