The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured Nigerians that its enhanced device compliance framework cannot access private information stored on their phones and other SIM-enabled devices, including messages, photographs, contacts and financial records.
The Commission gave the assurance amid the rollout of stricter verification measures designed to identify non-compliant telecommunications devices and strengthen security across Nigeria’s telecoms industry.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, said the framework relies on device identification details, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, to verify compliance with regulatory standards.
According to him, the system is intended to ensure that devices meet the required technical and regulatory standards, not to monitor users or access their personal information.
“The Type Approval Compliance framework is not designed for surveillance and does not provide the Commission with access to the content of communications, photographs, messages, contacts, financial information or any other personal information stored on users’ devices,” Ogoh said.
The NCC said the initiative would help identify cloned, counterfeit and non-compliant devices, improve network performance and strengthen consumer confidence in telecommunications equipment sold in Nigeria.
The Commission disclosed that devices already in stock were being onboarded into the framework, while newly imported devices would undergo verification and authentication.
The Commission advised consumers to verify the approval status of devices before purchasing them, particularly phones, tablets, modems and point-of-sale (POS) terminals that use SIM cards.
Ogoh urged buyers to ask sellers whether the devices had received NCC Type Approval, warning that non-compliant equipment could affect network performance and pose avoidable security risks.
Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, communications equipment manufacturers, suppliers and other relevant parties are required to obtain Type Approval before equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.
The NCC issued its Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024 and subsequently consulted manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications operators, government agencies and industry associations to guide implementation.
The Commission said it would continue engaging stakeholders and raising public awareness as the framework is rolled out.
