NCC strengthens Type Approval Compliance for SIM-enabled devices in Nigeria
Nigerian Communications Commission Enhances Device Approval Monitoring
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is intensifying its oversight of communications devices through an enhanced Type Approval enforcement framework aimed at ensuring that imported, sold, and used devices in Nigeria meet necessary technical and regulatory standards.
This initiative seeks to streamline the compliance process for Type Approval, enabling the NCC to electronically verify whether SIM-enabled devices adhere to the required standards. Central to this effort is the launch of the Device Management System (DMS), a technological platform designed to support the automated compliance framework and improve oversight of the device ecosystem.
Under the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, specifically Section 132(2), service providers, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers must obtain Type Approval from the NCC before selling or using communications equipment in Nigeria.
The DMS implementation aligns with the Commission’s goal of bolstering the integrity of Nigeria’s communications device market. By ensuring compliance with technical requirements, the initiative aims to enhance network performance, identify non-compliant devices, and bolster consumer trust in the equipment available in the country.
The NCC has begun the first phase of the DMS rollout, collaborating with key stakeholders such as the Nigeria Customs Service, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), importers, and market associations. This initial phase focuses on integrating existing stock of devices and ensuring that future imports are properly registered. This approach provides the NCC with a more effective means of pinpointing non-compliant and illegally imported devices before they enter widespread circulation.
Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, stated that the Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024 established a framework for a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) that maintains a registry of SIM-enabled communications devices in Nigeria.
“The issuance of the Rules was followed by extensive stakeholder engagement and market studies, which shaped the design and deployment of the system,” Ogoh noted.
The central registry will include International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, enabling the NCC to enhance compliance with Type Approval requirements and ensure the standards of devices in the market.
Ogoh emphasized that all SIM-enabled communications devices entering the country must be registered before sale. Unregistered devices will not be allowed to operate on Nigerian networks.
The DMS is also expected to address broader issues in the device market, making it easier to identify illegally imported and non-compliant devices. Additionally, devices reported as stolen can be blocked from use across Nigerian mobile networks.
In response to privacy concerns, Ogoh reassured the public that the platform is designed solely for device identification and compliance monitoring. The DMS will store identification information, including IMEI numbers, but it will not provide the NCC with access to users’ content or permit monitoring of personal communications.
