The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has advised consumers to confirm the approval and verification status of phones before paying for them, while stressing that an unsuccessful check does not automatically mean a device is counterfeit.
The guidance follows the commencement of the Commission’s strengthened device verification framework on October 7, 2026. The framework uses technology-enabled checks to enforce existing Type Approval requirements for mobile devices.
The NCC’s Device Checker examines two things. Type Approval confirms that a phone model meets the applicable technical standards. Device-level verification uses the handset’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number to establish whether that individual unit is verified for use on Nigerian mobile networks.
According to the Commission, a check that fails to confirm a device’s status may point to an unresolved issue, such as an additional verification step or incorrectly entered information, rather than a confirmed violation.
Consumers can run a check by dialling *315# and following the prompts. Where an IMEI is required, it can be displayed by dialling *#06# on the phone, or found in its settings or on the original packaging. Some handsets carry more than one IMEI.
If a check fails, the NCC advises buyers to ask the seller to explain the result, follow the official verification instructions, and contact the Commission on its toll-free line, 315, or their mobile service provider if the problem persists. Buyers are also cautioned that a phone’s ability to make calls or access the internet does not confirm its regulatory status, and should avoid completing a purchase that depends on verification until the status is clarified.
The Commission also warned consumers about fraudsters who may exploit the process. Users should access verification only through the official *315# service or the NCC website, and enter any one-time code only within that official process. The NCC cautioned against giving such a code to a seller, caller or anyone claiming to help verify a phone, and advised consumers to be wary of unofficial websites and messages offering verification.
The NCC said phones already connected to Nigerian networks before October 7, 2026 were automatically verified, and their owners need not take any action. Devices already in use, including those bought locally or handed to relatives and friends, generally do not require a fresh verification process.
Owners who encounter a verification issue or compliance restriction should follow the instructions they receive and contact the seller or their service provider. The Commission added that the framework does not require individual consumers to obtain Type Approval for phones bought from local sellers. Sellers and other businesses in the supply chain, however, must meet the applicable Type Approval and verification requirements.