NCC enforces tech-driven type approval compliance for SIM devices - ITREALMS

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is stepping up its regulatory oversight to ensure every SIM-enabled device sold, imported, and used in Nigeria meets strict technical and safety standards, reports ITREALMS.

To make this process seamless and foolproof, the Commission is rolling out an automated, technology-driven framework powered by a Device Management System (DMS).

Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, all equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers are legally required to obtain Type Approval from the NCC before bringing communications equipment into the market.

The introduction of the DMS strengthens this legal mandate by integrating a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR); a centralized database that logs International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers for every SIM-enabled device nationwide.

This automated system establishes clear, firm parameters for the nation’s device ecosystem.

Moving forward, all SIM-enabled communications equipment brought into Nigeria must be registered and authenticated before sale. Any device that fails to obtain registration or meet technical standards will be barred from operating on any Nigerian mobile network.

Beyond enforcing compliance and filtering out illegally imported hardware, the CEIR framework offers a critical security benefit: devices reported stolen can now be blacklisted, rendering them completely unusable across all domestic networks.

The NCC has already initiated the first phase of this rollout, working in close coordination with key industry stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), device importers, and market associations.

This initial phase focuses on onboarding existing stock while setting up automated filters to intercept non-compliant devices at the border before they reach consumers.

According to Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, the operational rules finalized in August 2024 set the groundwork for this system following comprehensive market studies.

Addressing public privacy concerns directly, Engr. Ogoh emphasized that the CEIR system tracks device identity, specifically IMEI data and possesses zero capability to access personal content or monitor private communications.

The system, ITREALMS gathered, aims at cleaning up the marketplace, safeguard consumers, and elevate overall network performance across the country.