NCC has clarified that mobile subscribers are not required to submit their phones’ IMEIs.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has debunked the report that Nigerians will be required to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of their phones from July 2021.
The IMEI number is a unique 15-digit code that precisely identifies the device with the SIM card input. It is the mobile phone’s fingerprint that can be tracked and located irrespective of the cellular number in it.
A report had earlier said NCC said mobile subscribers are to provide the IMEI of their phones.
According to the report, NCC stated that this in the commission’s Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration which was released on May 11, 2021.
The report further said the policy was aimed at implementing the Device Management System (a Centralised Equipment Identity Register) and backed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In December 2021, the NCC had directed Nigerians to get a National Identity Number (NIN) and link it to their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).
The regulatory body recently extended the NIN-SIM integration exercise till June 30.
In reaction to the IMEI report, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Adinde said the Commission at no time issued a statement regarding the registration of IMEI by subscribers, adding that there was no plan for that.
Adinde in a statement said,
“The reports in question have emanated from a section of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and which has been uploaded on the Commission’s website.
“It is pertinent to state that the Commission is in the process of deploying a Device Management System (DMS).
“The DMS will essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks.
“The system will capture IMEI automatically without any requirement for subscribers to submit same.”
He, therefore, advised the general public to disregard the statement which created the impression that mobile phone users will be required to register their IMEI with their networks.