Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a new platform that enables banks, telecom operators, and other service providers to verify phone numbers before granting access to services, in a move aimed at curbing fraud and strengthening digital security.
Gatekeepers News reports that the system which is known as the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), is designed to address rising cases of fraud linked to mobile numbers, particularly those that are recycled, swapped, or fraudulently registered.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, NCC executive vice chairman Aminu Maida said mobile numbers have become critical tools for financial transactions, identity verification, and access to essential services, making them a major target for cybercriminals.
He noted that “the fraudulent use of churned, recycled, swapped, and barred MSISDNs has become a significant vector for financial fraud and identity theft,” stressing the need for a coordinated response.
The new platform will allow institutions such as banks and telecom companies to screen and verify phone numbers flagged for suspicious, dormant, or fraudulent activities before allowing users to access their services.
NCC explained that the initiative is part of a broader effort to improve trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem by creating a unified, cross-sector framework involving financial regulators, telecom operators, and security agencies.
As part of the rollout, the commission has also proposed new regulations requiring telecom operators to notify subscribers at least 14 days before deactivating their lines and to submit details of recycled or inactive numbers to the platform within seven days.
However, stakeholders have raised concerns about implementation. MTN Nigeria warned that similar systems already exist but suffer from low adoption, suggesting that without mandatory participation by financial institutions, the new platform may face similar challenges.
NCC said it will review feedback from stakeholders and refine the framework to ensure the platform effectively reduces fraud, enhances accountability, and strengthens coordination across sectors.
