The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a Device Checker service that enables consumers to verify mobile phones and other communications devices by dialling *315#, as part of efforts to combat counterfeit and non-compliant devices in Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the commission said the initiative is part of an enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework that took effect on October 7, 2026. The framework is designed to protect consumers, safeguard telecommunications networks and ensure that devices sold and used in the country meet established technical standards.
Speaking at a news conference on the commission’s Technical Standards and Network Integrity initiatives in Abuja on Tuesday, Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, said the framework would strengthen monitoring and enforcement of existing regulatory requirements.
“Type Approval is not merely a regulatory requirement. It is a vital mechanism for protecting consumers, safeguarding network performance and preserving confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy,” Ogoh said.
He explained that the NCC had consulted original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications service providers, government agencies and industry associations following the introduction of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024.
Ogoh added that the commission had collaborated with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to verify devices already in stock and ensure that newly imported equipment underwent the necessary checks.
How to Use the NCC Device Checker
The NCC said consumers could verify their devices by dialling *315# and following the prompts or visiting its official website at www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker.
Those checking a device other than the one they currently use may need its 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which can be retrieved by dialling *#06# on the device.
The commission advised Nigerians to verify devices before making payments, particularly when purchasing second-hand phones.
However, it clarified that consumers buying devices from Nigerian sellers were not required to obtain Type Approval themselves. The responsibility for compliance rests primarily with manufacturers, importers, suppliers and businesses placing devices on the market.
According to the NCC, devices that were already connected to Nigerian mobile networks before the framework took effect were automatically verified and would generally require no further action from their users.
The framework covers smartphones, feature phones, cellular tablets, eligible Internet of Things devices, SIM-enabled point-of-sale terminals, cellular laptops and other equipment designed to connect to Nigerian mobile networks.
The commission warned that devices found to be non-compliant with applicable requirements could be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks.
NCC Explains Difference Between Counterfeit and Cloned Phones
The commission explained that counterfeit phones imitate genuine products without the authorisation of their original manufacturers, while cloned devices use IMEI numbers assigned to other legitimate devices.
However, it cautioned that an unsuccessful verification result did not automatically mean a device was counterfeit.
Consumers were advised to seek clarification from sellers and resolve any outstanding verification issues before completing their purchases.
Device Checker Does Not Access Personal Files, NCC Says
Addressing concerns about privacy, Ogoh said the system was designed for device identification and regulatory verification rather than surveillance.
He explained that although the framework uses device identification information, including IMEI numbers, it does not give the commission access to users’ calls, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other personal files.
The NCC also clarified that the Device Checker does not track users’ physical locations or movements.
The commission further warned consumers against fraudsters seeking to exploit the verification process. It urged Nigerians to use only the official *315# channel and the NCC website and never disclose one-time verification codes to sellers, callers or other individuals.
It also clarified that international roaming with foreign SIM cards would not be affected by the framework.
Visitors intending to use a Nigerian SIM card in a device that has never connected to a Nigerian network may use it for up to 30 cumulative days within a one-year period without verification, according to the commission’s guidance.
NCC Urges Media to Intensify Public Awareness
Earlier, Nneka Okoha, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, called on media organisations to intensify public awareness of the Device Checker and other regulatory initiatives.
Okoha said effective communication was essential to ensuring that regulatory policies achieved their intended objectives, particularly among consumers at the grassroots.
She urged journalists to provide accurate and balanced information to help Nigerians understand the service, its benefits and their responsibilities when purchasing communications equipment.
The commission advised consumers experiencing verification difficulties or network restrictions to contact their service providers or seek assistance through its official support channels, including its toll-free number, 315.
Framework Backed by Existing Telecommunications Laws
The NCC said the enhanced framework was backed by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, particularly Section 132(2), the Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations 2024 and the Type Approval Business Rules 2024.
Ogoh stressed that the commission was strengthening enforcement of an existing regulatory requirement rather than introducing a new obligation.
The NCC called on manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications service providers, consumer groups and media organisations to support public sensitisation and compliance.
It reaffirmed its commitment to consumer protection, stronger technical standards and a safer, more reliable telecommunications environment in support of Nigeria’s digital economy.
