Susan Abayomi
The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review its mobile phone verification framework amid concerns that its implementation could lead to the wrongful blocking of genuine devices, increase handset prices and restrict access to affordable mobile phones.
The lawmakers expressed concern that technical errors, database mismatches and other challenges associated with the verification process could result in legitimate mobile phones, particularly second-hand devices, being rejected or blocked.
They warned that such developments could disrupt legitimate businesses and affect millions of Nigerians, especially low-income earners who depend on affordable mobile phones for communication, education and economic activities.
Consequently, the House urged the NCC to engage relevant stakeholders to simplify the verification procedures, reduce compliance costs and establish an accessible system for verifying used mobile phones.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sani Wakili, who called for a review of the commission’s mobile phone device verification requirements.
Leading the debate, Wakili explained that the NCC was strengthening the enforcement of Type Approval and device verification requirements for mobile phones and other Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)-enabled devices through its Device Management System (DMS) and Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).
He noted that the framework was designed to identify and verify mobile devices through their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, as part of efforts to combat counterfeit phones and illegally duplicated devices.
While acknowledging the importance of the initiative, the lawmaker warned that its implementation could impose additional financial and administrative burdens on importers, retailers and consumers.
According to him, the requirements, scheduled to take effect from October 7, 2026, could increase operating expenses for businesses importing mobile devices, with the additional costs potentially passed on to consumers through higher handset prices.
Wakili also raised concerns about the possibility of genuine second-hand phones being wrongly blocked because of technical shortcomings in the verification system.
He cautioned that database inconsistencies, scanning errors and other limitations could affect legitimate devices, creating difficulties for users and businesses that deal in fairly used mobile phones.
The lawmaker further argued that the financial and administrative demands of compliance could disproportionately affect small-scale importers and retailers, many of whom depend on affordable devices to sustain their businesses.
He stressed that efforts to eliminate counterfeit and illegally duplicated phones should not create unnecessary difficulties for legitimate traders and consumers.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House directed its Committees on Communications and Commerce to engage the NCC and other relevant stakeholders to examine the implementation of the framework.
The committees are expected to submit their findings and recommendations to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
The lawmakers also urged the commission to ensure that its verification procedures accommodate genuine second-hand devices and provide adequate safeguards against the wrongful rejection or blocking of legitimate mobile phones.
The proposed review is expected to address concerns surrounding the implementation of the framework while ensuring that efforts to tackle counterfeit devices do not undermine access to affordable mobile phones in Nigeria.
