NCC Warns Phone Buyers: Dial *315# Before Paying for Any New or Used Device

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to verify mobile phones before purchasing them, introducing a simple way for consumers to check whether a device has been approved and verified for use on the country’s telecommunications networks.

The advisory comes as the commission steps up enforcement of device compliance requirements aimed at protecting consumers, curbing counterfeit phones and improving the quality of telecommunications services.

The commission’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Eduyemi Ogoh, gave the advice during an appearance on Arise Television’s Newsnight, stressing that buyers should establish a phone’s compliance status before handing over their money.

The process is designed to be straightforward. Buyers can dial *315# and follow the instructions to check a device. Where necessary, they may be asked to provide its 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a unique identification number assigned to mobile devices. The IMEI can be displayed by dialling *#06# on the phone. Consumers can also use the commission’s official Device Checker website.

The NCC said the verification is particularly important for people buying fairly used phones or devices brought into Nigeria from abroad. A phone that looks genuine or has previously worked with a Nigerian SIM card should not automatically be assumed to meet all applicable requirements. Checking before payment can help buyers avoid unexpected network access problems.

Ogoh explained that the process involves two related but distinct checks. Type approval assesses a phone model against the technical standards required for operation in Nigeria, while device verification establishes whether an individual device has been registered and cleared through the relevant system. Manufacturers, importers and other responsible businesses, not ordinary consumers buying locally are expected to fulfil the applicable compliance obligations.

The commission linked the initiative to concerns about substandard devices and poor telecommunications service. According to Ogoh, some complaints about network performance can be traced to the devices being used. Phones that fail to meet the required standards may affect connectivity and network performance, making device compliance an important part of efforts to improve service quality.

The enhanced compliance framework took effect on October 7, 2026. The NCC said approximately 231 million devices already connected to Nigerian mobile networks before midnight on October 6 had been onboarded and verified. The commission explained that the exercise was intended to avoid forcing existing users to discard phones they had already purchased and were using.

The rules cover more than smartphones. They extend to 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. Devices confirmed to be non-compliant with applicable requirements may be denied access to local networks.

The NCC has, however, cautioned consumers against treating every unsuccessful verification result as proof that a phone is fake. A failed check may require further investigation or clarification from the seller or service provider. Buyers are therefore advised to resolve any outstanding verification issues before completing a purchase rather than immediately concluding that a device is counterfeit.

Addressing privacy concerns, the commission said the Device Checker uses device identification information, including IMEI numbers, to establish compliance. It does not give the NCC access to users’ personal content, such as calls, messages, photographs or stored files, and it is not designed to track their physical movements. Consumers have also been warned never to disclose one-time verification codes to sellers, callers or other individuals.

The NCC’s advice is simple: check first, pay afterwards. Nigerians buying new or second-hand phones should use *315# or the official Device Checker portal to confirm the device’s status before making payment. Anyone experiencing difficulties can call the toll-free number 315 or contact the commission through its official consumer support channels. The initiative forms part of the regulator’s wider effort to protect buyers, strengthen compliance and promote more reliable telecommunications services across the country.