The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has intensified its collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to strengthen the adoption of its device checker platform, as the number of type-approved devices in Nigeria edges closer to 3,000.

The initiative underscores NCC’s commitment to safeguarding consumers from substandard and counterfeit devices while ensuring that only certified products are allowed into the market.

The Device Checker tool, accessible via the NCC website, enables consumers to verify the approval status of mobile phones, tablets, and other communication gadgets before purchase. By rallying OEMs to promote the platform, the Commission aimed to empower users with reliable information, reduce the influx of fake devices, and enhance overall quality of service across the telecom sector.

The Commission, however, said the Device Checker platform has come to stay, but assured that it does not access personal information, messages, photos, contacts or financial data.

NCC urges consumers to understand its device-verification purpose, which is targeted at protecting the ecosystem. It stressed that Device Checker is not and will not be a surveillance tool.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, while providing more insights on the initiative, in Lagos, told journalists that Device Checker will strengthen the ecosystem and not be a tracker tool.

Maida, represented by Zonal Controller of the NCC Lagos office, Tunji Jomoh, said the platform’s purpose is limited to device identification and regulatory compliance verification.

He said it is designed to strengthen Type Approval compliance, protect consumers and safeguard the integrity of communications devices on Nigerian networks.

“As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, it is important that devices connected to our networks comply with established technical and regulatory standards,” he said.

The platform, he added, helps address the circulation of non-compliant, counterfeit, cloned and unauthorised devices in the market.

Maida said the Commission recently streamlined its licensing and regularisation process, enabling a significant number of device dealers in Kano State to obtain licences.

According to him, the NCC also held sensitisation engagements with importers and other industry participants in Lagos and other parts of the country to deepen awareness of Type Approval requirements and Device Checker obligations.

He said these steps have strengthened accountability across the device supply chain and improved regulatory compliance.

Providing more insights, Head of Wireless Network, Technical Standards and Networks Integrity Department, NCC, Kings Adeyemi, said the Commission has also developed a Device Checker application that lets authorised stakeholders scan device IMEIs and upload the information directly to the platform.

Adeyemi, an engineer, disclosed that thus far, the NCC has issued over 2,900 type approval licenses in the country. He stressed that all SIM-enabled devices are affected under the new directive.

He said that non-compliant and counterfeit devices act like unapproved electrical appliances plugged into a home network, saying they can degrade service quality, cause network interference, and disrupt connectivity for legitimate users.

“With the deployment of the Device Checker, all existing mobile phones and connected equipment within the country have been successfully migrated onto the platform. Importers and dealers are urged to leverage NCC’s digital resources and stakeholder guidelines available at NCC Guidelines to ensure full compliance,” Kings stated.

According to him, for inquiries, telecoms consumers can reach the Commission through its dedicated consumer toll-free line, 315, for guidance on device verification and consumer protection matters.

He said consumers can verify a device’s status before purchase through the “Check Your Device” portal at www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker by entering the device’s IMEI number.

He said manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers can find their obligations in the Type Approval & Device Verification Guide there.

According to him, organisations seeking Equipment Type Approval can find application requirements on the Type Approval section of the NCC website. The Device Checker app is available at imeiscanner.registermydevice.ng.

He also called on industry players to familiarise themselves with the Type Approval guide and ensure full compliance.