NCC Extends Device Onboarding Deadline as Nigeria Tightens Anti-Fraud Tracking

  Mobile device dealers and vendors in Nigeria have been given additional time to comply with new device-tracking requirements after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) extended the onboarding deadline under its Device Management System.

 The deadline, originally set for September 7, 2026, has been moved to October 6, 2026, giving industry operators an additional month to complete the required onboarding process.

 The Device Management System is designed to strengthen the identification and monitoring of mobile devices operating on Nigerian telecommunications networks. The measures are part of broader efforts to combat fraud, device-related crime and the use of unidentified or illegally obtained mobile phones.

 Under the stricter framework, dealers and vendors are expected to ensure that devices entering the market meet the applicable registration and tracking requirements.

 The extension provides businesses with more time to adjust their operations and meet the regulatory requirements while the NCC moves toward stronger enforcement of device-management rules

 The initiative is also expected to improve the ability of authorities and network operators to trace devices and identify suspicious activity, potentially making it harder for criminals to exploit mobile networks for fraudulent purposes.

 For mobile phone dealers, distributors and vendors, the revised deadline means compliance remains a priority, with failure to meet the requirements potentially exposing businesses to regulatory action.

 The NCC’s move highlights Nigeria’s growing reliance on technology and device-level tracking as part of its wider fight against telecommunications-related fraud and other forms of digital crime.