Things to know about checking your phone’s NCC approval status

Smartphones. Photo: Leadership

Nigerians can check whether their phones are approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission by dialling *315# or visiting the commission’s Device Checker portal, as the regulator steps up enforcement of rules governing devices connected to local mobile networks.

The verification system took effect on October 7, 2026, to ensure that devices sold and used in Nigeria meet the required technical standards.

The NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, described the initiative as a consumer protection measure.

“Type Approval is not merely a regulatory requirement. It is a vital mechanism for protecting consumers, safeguarding network performance and preserving confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy,” Ogoh said at a news conference in Abuja.

Here are things Nigerians should know about the device verification system.

1. How to check your phone’s approval status

Consumers can verify their devices by following these steps:

– Dial *315#: Follow the prompts to access the NCC Device Checker service.
– Visit the NCC website: Go to www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceChecker to check a device online.
– Retrieve the IMEI: If checking another phone, you may need its 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity number. Dial *#06# on the device to display it.
– Check the result: Confirm that the device is type-approved and verified for use on Nigerian mobile networks before buying it.

If the result is unclear or verification fails, consumers should seek clarification from the seller or contact their network provider or the NCC.

2. Existing phone users do not need to panic

The NCC has said phones already connected to Nigerian mobile networks before October 7 were automatically verified.

In an earlier briefing, Ogoh said, “We had already registered about 231 million devices across the country. And those devices, basically, you don’t have to do anything. The subscriber does not have to do anything.”

He added, “We are not blacklisting those that have come up before this,” referring to devices already connected to local networks before the new system took effect.

3. Second-hand phones should also be checked

Nigerians buying fairly used phones are advised to verify their status before paying, rather than assuming that previous use on a Nigerian network guarantees compliance.

Buyers should ask sellers to provide access to the device so they can retrieve its IMEI and complete the verification process.

An unsuccessful check does not automatically mean a phone is counterfeit. The NCC advises consumers to confirm the device’s status with the seller or the commission before completing the purchase.

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4. Which devices are covered?

The framework covers SIM-enabled devices designed to connect to Nigerian mobile networks.

These include smartphones, feature phones, cellular tablets, SIM-enabled laptops, point-of-sale terminals and eligible Internet of Things devices.

Devices confirmed not to meet applicable requirements, including counterfeit and substandard phones, may be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks.

5. The system does not give the NCC access to private messages

The commission has dismissed concerns that the verification system would allow it to monitor users’ personal communications.

Ogoh said, “It is not a surveillance tool and does not provide access to personal information stored on devices.”

According to the NCC, the system uses device identification information, including IMEI numbers, to establish compliance. It does not give the commission access to users’ messages, photographs or other personal files, or enable it to track their physical locations.

6. Foreign visitors and phones brought from abroad

Foreign visitors using international roaming with foreign SIM cards are not affected by the system.

However, phones that have never been used on a Nigerian network and are brought into the country for use with a Nigerian SIM may be used for up to 30 cumulative days within a one-year period without verification, according to the NCC’s guidelines.

The commission says personal imports may follow a different verification process from devices imported for commercial purposes.

7. What to do if verification fails

Consumers who cannot verify a device should check that the correct IMEI was entered and ask the seller for clarification.

If the issue remains unresolved, they can contact their mobile network provider or call the NCC’s toll-free number, 315.

The commission has also warned consumers against verification scams, advising them to use only its official channels and never disclose one-time verification codes to sellers, callers or other individuals.