NCC, Customs Move to Stop Counterfeit Phones from Entering Nigeria

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has partnered with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to prevent counterfeit, cloned and substandard communication devices from entering the Nigerian market.

The collaboration is part of an enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework aimed at ensuring that imported and locally marketed telecommunications equipment meets approved technical and regulatory standards.

Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, disclosed the initiative during a media briefing at the Commission’s head office annex in Mbora, Abuja.

He said the partnership would strengthen enforcement by enabling authorities to intercept non-compliant devices at the borders before they reach retailers and consumers.

Under the framework, the NCC will electronically verify the approval status of SIM-enabled devices, making it easier to identify equipment that fails to meet regulatory requirements.

Existing stocks of communication devices are also being registered on the system, while incoming imports will undergo authentication and verification before gaining access to telecommunications networks.

The Commission said its enforcement powers are backed by Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which requires relevant manufacturers, suppliers and service providers to obtain Type Approval before communications equipment is sold or deployed in Nigeria.

The NCC introduced its Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024 and subsequently consulted manufacturers, importers, distributors, telecoms operators and industry associations on implementation.

The initiative is expected to increase scrutiny of Nigeria’s grey-market device trade, which includes unverified mobile phones, modems, point-of-sale terminals and tablets.

Ogoh urged consumers to check the NCC Type Approval status of SIM-enabled devices before purchasing them, warning that unapproved equipment could undermine network performance and complicate regulatory monitoring.

He said stronger compliance would protect consumers, safeguard network integrity and improve the reliability of telecommunications services.

The partnership marks a shift towards closer coordination between telecommunications regulators and border authorities in tackling the importation and distribution of non-compliant devices.