NCC Orders Registration of All SIM-Enabled Devices, Moves to Block Unregistered Phones

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced a major regulatory drive requiring SIM-enabled devices operating in Nigeria to be registered and authenticated, in a move designed to tighten control over the country’s telecommunications device ecosystem.

The initiative is being implemented through the Commission’s Device Management System (DMS), which will provide a central mechanism for identifying devices and electronically checking their compliance with the NCC’s Type Approval requirements. The regulator said the framework is intended to make compliance monitoring more efficient and consistent.

Under the new framework, devices imported into Nigeria, sold in the country or used on Nigerian mobile networks are expected to meet applicable regulatory requirements. The NCC said unregistered devices will ultimately not be permitted to operate on local mobile networks.

The Commission said the first phase of implementation is focused on onboarding existing devices held in stock, while ensuring that new devices brought into Nigeria are properly registered and authenticated. The NCC is working with the Nigeria Customs Service, original equipment manufacturers, importers and relevant market associations as part of the process.

The framework is anchored on the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), which is designed to maintain a registry of SIM-enabled communications devices in Nigeria. The system will use device identifiers, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, to improve visibility over equipment connected to Nigerian networks.

The regulatory push is also expected to strengthen the fight against the circulation of counterfeit, illegally imported and stolen mobile devices. Once fully operational, the system will make it easier for the authorities to identify devices that fail to meet regulatory requirements and prevent them from accessing mobile networks.

The NCC’s Type Approval regime has its legal foundation in Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. The provision requires licensed service and facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers to obtain the Commission’s approval before communications equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.

The Commission has also sought to clarify concerns about the implications of the DMS for subscribers’ privacy. The NCC said the system is designed as a device-identification and regulatory-compliance platform and is not intended to provide access to users’ personal communications or private data.

The onboarding exercise initially carried a September 7, 2026 deadline for existing devices in stock. However, the NCC has extended the deadline to October 6, 2026, giving original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers and vendors additional time to complete the required process.

The latest move represents a significant expansion of Nigeria’s telecommunications regulatory framework, with the NCC seeking greater control over the devices connecting to its mobile networks. As implementation progresses, consumers, retailers and importers will be watching closely to understand how the registration regime affects existing phones, newly imported devices and equipment already in circulation across the country.