The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is strengthening the monitoring and enforcement of its type approval requirements for subscriber identity module (SIM)-enabled devices in Nigeria.
The regulator said the initiative is intended to make type approval compliance more efficient, consistent and effective by enabling the Commission to electronically determine compliance.
The Device Management System (DMS) will serve as the technology platform supporting the automated compliance framework, allowing the commission to improve oversight of the device ecosystem.
Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, licensed service and facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers are required to obtain type approval from the NCC before communications equipment may be sold or used in Nigeria.
The NCC said implementation of the DMS supports its efforts to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s communications device ecosystem by improving compliance with applicable technical and regulatory standards, enhancing network performance, facilitating the identification of non-compliant devices and strengthening consumer confidence in devices sold and used in Nigeria.
The NCC has commenced the first phase of implementing the automated type approval compliance framework and is working with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, original equipment manufacturers , importers and relevant market associations.
This phase focuses on onboarding existing devices currently held in stock and ensuring devices imported into the country are appropriately registered and authenticated.
The NCC said this would provide it with a more effective mechanism for identifying non-compliant and illegally imported devices before they enter widespread use.
Edoyemi Ogoh, director of technical standards and network Integrity at the NCC, explained that the Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024 provided the regulatory framework for the establishment of a Central Equipment Identity Register, which maintains a registry of SIM-enabled communications devices.
“Following the issuance of the Rules, the Commission commenced extensive stakeholder engagements and market studies, which informed the eventual design and deployment of the system,” Ogoh stated in the NCC’s announcement.
By establishing a central registry of the International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers of devices in Nigeria, the NCC believes it will be better positioned to ensure compliance with its type approval requirements and that devices imported into, sold and used in Nigeria meet applicable standards.
With the deployment of this system, all SIM-enabled communications devices brought into the country must be registered before they are sold. Devices that are not duly registered will not be permitted to operate on Nigerian networks.
Ogoh said beyond improving type approval compliance, the technology would help address some of the wider challenges associated with the device market.
“Illegally imported and non-compliant devices will be easier to identify, while devices reported stolen can be blocked from use across Nigerian mobile networks.”
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