Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) don announce say dem don start new system to check mobile phones and oda communication devices wey pipo dey use for Nigeria. Di commission say some phones wey no get registration to work for di kontri go face blocking. Di new system go start to take effect from October 7, 2026.
NCC tell BBC say di plan na to improve standards for identifying telecommunications devices. According to di commission, e go help curb spread of fake phones and protect security of telecommunications networks for di kontri. Di aim na to make sure say all devices wey dem dey sell or use for Nigeria meet required standards and protect pipo wey dey use di services.
Malam Usman Mamman, Director of Licensing for NCC, tell BBC say di matter no be new tin. “No be new tin, say NCC get law for am,” e tok. E also explain say all phone matas dey under di agency, and na NCC dey issue licence. “Evri phone wey enta this kontri must pass our verification. E no be new law,” Malam Usman Mamman tok.
Di Director wey dey oversee licensing add say dem dey send special codes give people to check whether dia phones meet requirements to be used for Nigeria. Through dat process, pesin go know if NCC don verify di phone. If e no be so, di pesin go need find way to verify am.
NCC advise pipo, especially those wey dey buy fairly used phones, make dem first verify di phone before dem pay money. E go stop dem from buying phones wey no get approval to use for Nigeria.
Di agency also say all phones wey already dey connected to Nigerian communication networks before di implementation of di system on 7 October 2026 don already pass verification automatically. Because of dat, most users no go need take any extra action. NCC emphasise say di new system no mean say pipo wey dey already use phones must change dia phones.
NCC say di new system for verifying communication devices get di aim of stopping devices wey no meet di required standards from connecting to mobile networks for Nigeria. Malam Usman Mamman warn say some devices wey dem dey bring enter Nigeria get defects, including some wey no fit make or receive calls properly. E still warn say some of dis devices fit put public safety and national security for danger.
However, NCC publish for dia website on 2 October 2026 say e get more dan 2,000 phone models wey don get approval for use for Nigeria.
