The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a Device Checker service that allows Nigerians to verify mobile phones and other communications equipment by dialling *315#, as part of efforts to combat counterfeit devices and protect telecommunications networks.
The initiative is part of an enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework that took effect on October 7, 2026. According to the Commission, the framework is designed to protect consumers, improve network integrity and ensure that communications devices sold and used in Nigeria meet the required technical standards.
The NCC announced the development at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, where the Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, explained that the initiative would strengthen the monitoring and enforcement of existing regulatory requirements.
“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.
How to Check Your Phone Using NCC’s *315# Service
The NCC advised Nigerians to verify their devices before making payments, particularly when purchasing second-hand phones from dealers or individual sellers.
Consumers can check a device through the following steps:
- Dial *315# on a mobile phone and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Alternatively, visit the NCC’s official Device Checker portal at www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker.
- If checking a different device, obtain its 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number by dialling *#06# on that device.
- Follow the verification instructions and resolve any outstanding issues with the seller before completing the purchase.
The Commission cautioned that an unsuccessful verification result does not automatically mean a phone is counterfeit. Consumers should seek clarification and confirm the device’s compliance status before proceeding with a transaction.
NCC Warns Against Fake and Cloned Phones
According to the Commission, the enhanced framework is intended to address counterfeit and non-compliant communications equipment, including devices that could undermine network performance or violate applicable technical standards.
The NCC explained that counterfeit phones imitate genuine products without authorisation from the original manufacturers. Cloned devices, on the other hand, use IMEI numbers assigned to other legitimate devices.
Devices that fail to meet applicable requirements could be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks, the Commission warned.
The framework covers smartphones, feature phones, cellular tablets, eligible Internet of Things (IoT) devices, SIM-enabled point-of-sale terminals, cellular laptops and other equipment designed to connect to Nigerian mobile networks.
Who Is Responsible for Type Approval?
The NCC clarified that Nigerians buying devices from sellers within the country are not required to obtain Type Approval themselves.
Instead, compliance responsibilities rest primarily with manufacturers, importers, suppliers and businesses placing communications equipment on the Nigerian market.
Ogoh said the Commission had engaged original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications service providers, government agencies and industry associations following the issuance of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024.
The NCC also worked with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to verify devices already in stock and ensure that newly imported equipment underwent the required checks.
The Commission stressed that the current initiative strengthens enforcement of existing requirements rather than introducing an entirely new regulatory obligation.
Do Existing Phone Users Need to Verify Their Devices?
The NCC said devices already connected to Nigerian mobile networks before the framework took effect were automatically verified and would generally require no additional action from their users.
However, consumers purchasing replacement phones or second-hand devices are encouraged to use the Device Checker before completing their transactions.
The Commission also clarified that international roaming with foreign SIM cards would not be affected by the framework.
Visitors intending to use a Nigerian SIM card in a device that has never previously connected to a Nigerian network may use it for up to 30 cumulative days within a one-year period without verification, according to the NCC’s guidance.
NCC Addresses Privacy Concerns Over Device Verification
The Commission has also sought to reassure Nigerians about the privacy implications of the new verification system.
Ogoh explained that the framework uses device identification information, including IMEI numbers, for identification and regulatory verification rather than surveillance.
According to the NCC, the system does not give the Commission access to users’ calls, text messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other personal files.
The Device Checker also does not track users’ physical locations or movements, the Commission said.
NCC Warns Nigerians Against Verification Scams
The Commission warned consumers to be cautious of fraudsters attempting to exploit the device verification process.
It urged Nigerians to use only the official *315# channel and the NCC website when checking their devices. Consumers were also advised never to disclose one-time verification codes to sellers, callers or other individuals.
Those experiencing verification difficulties or network restrictions should contact their telecommunications service providers or seek assistance through the Commission’s official support channels, including its toll-free number, 315.
NCC Calls for Public Awareness and Compliance
The Director of Public Affairs at the Commission, Nneka Okoha, urged media organisations to intensify public awareness of the Device Checker and other regulatory initiatives.
Okoha said accurate and balanced communication was essential to ensuring that regulatory policies achieved their intended objectives, particularly among consumers at the grassroots.
She encouraged journalists to help Nigerians understand how the verification service works, its benefits and their responsibilities when purchasing communications equipment.
The Commission said the framework is backed by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, particularly Section 132(2), the Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations 2024 and the Type Approval Business Rules 2024.
The NCC reaffirmed its commitment to stronger technical standards, consumer protection and a safer, more reliable telecommunications environment in support of Nigeria’s digital economy.