The Nigerian Communications Commission has begun registering and authenticating SIM-enabled devices in Nigeria under a new enforcement framework aimed at identifying illegally imported and non-compliant communications equipment.

The telecoms regulator said on Wednesday that the initiative would establish a central registry for devices operating in the country and make registration mandatory for SIM-enabled equipment imported into Nigeria before it is sold.

Under the new framework, devices that are not registered will be barred from accessing Nigerian mobile networks.

The NCC disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, titled, “NCC Strengthens Type Approval Compliance for SIM-Enabled Devices in Nigeria.”

The commission said the initiative was part of efforts to improve compliance with its Type Approval requirements, which ensure that communications devices imported, sold and used in Nigeria meet established technical and regulatory standards.

The regulator added that it was deploying a technology-driven framework to electronically verify whether SIM-enabled devices comply with its Type Approval requirements.

At the heart of the framework is the Device Management System, which will provide the technology infrastructure for automated compliance monitoring and strengthen regulatory oversight of Nigeria’s communications device market.

“The initiative is intended to make Type Approval compliance more efficient, consistent, and effective by enabling the Commission to electronically determine Type Approval compliance of SIM-enabled devices,” the NCC said.

The commission said the DMS would strengthen the integrity of the communications device ecosystem by promoting compliance with technical standards, improving network performance and facilitating the identification of non-compliant equipment.

The initiative is backed by Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which requires licensed service and facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers to obtain Type Approval from the NCC before communications equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.

The commission said it had launched the first phase of its automated Type Approval compliance framework and was working with the Nigeria Customs Service, Original Equipment Manufacturers, importers and relevant market associations.

The initial phase will involve registering existing devices in stock, while ensuring that newly imported devices are registered and authenticated before entering the market.

According to the NCC, the initiative will provide a more effective mechanism for identifying non-compliant and illegally imported devices before they become widely deployed on Nigerian networks.

Speaking on the implementation, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, said the Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024 provided the regulatory framework for establishing a Central Equipment Identity Register.

The register will keep records of SIM-enabled communications devices operating in Nigeria, with each device identified by its International Mobile Equipment Identity number.

“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 said.

He said the central IMEI registry would enable the regulator to verify whether devices entering and operating in the Nigerian market meet the required technical and regulatory standards.

“By establishing a central registry of the International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers of devices in Nigeria, the Commission will be better positioned to ensure effective and efficient compliance with its Type Approval requirements and to ensure that devices imported into, sold and used in Nigeria meet the applicable standards,” he added.

Ogoh said the new system would make registration mandatory for SIM-enabled devices entering the Nigerian market.

“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,” he noted.

The measure could affect mobile phones and other communications equipment capable of using SIM cards, particularly devices imported into the country outside recognised importation and regulatory channels.