In a smart move aimed at strengthening the monitoring and enforcement of Type Approval requirements for SIM-enabled communications devices imported, sold and used in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, has commenced the deployment of a technology-enabled framework.

According to a statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, the initiative will enable the Commission to electronically determine the Type Approval compliance status of SIM-enabled devices and ensure that only devices that meet applicable technical and regulatory standards are permitted to operate on the nation’s networks.

“The Device Management System DMS, would serve as the technology platform for the automated compliance framework, enhancing its oversight of Nigeria’s communications device ecosystem.

“Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, licensed service and facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers are required to obtain Type Approval from the NCC before communications equipment can be sold or used in the country.

“The DMS is expected to improve compliance with technical and regulatory standards, enhance network performance, facilitate the identification of non-compliant devices and strengthen consumer confidence in communications devices sold and used in Nigeria.

“The NCC has commenced the first phase of the implementation and is collaborating with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), importers and relevant market associations”, the statement said.

It was gathered that the initial phase focuses on onboarding devices already held in stock, while ensuring that all devices imported into Nigeria in the future are properly registered and authenticated.

The statement further noted that the system would provide a more effective mechanism for detecting non-compliant and illegally imported devices before they become widespread in the Nigerian market.

Meanwhile, Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, who spoke on the scheduled rollout, said the Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024 provided the regulatory framework for establishing a Central Equipment Identity Register CEIR, for SIM-enabled communications devices in Nigeria.

“The Commission has already embarked on an extensive stakeholder engagements and market studies following the issuance of the Rules, which informed the design and deployment of the new system”, Ogoh said.

He further explained that the central registry would contain the International Mobile Equipment Identity IMEI, numbers of devices in Nigeria, enabling the Commission to more effectively enforce Type Approval requirements.

“With the deployment of this system, all SIM-enabled communications devices brought into the country must be registered before they are sold. Devices that are not duly registered will not be permitted to operate on Nigerian networks,” he said.

According to the Commission, the technology would also help tackle wider challenges within the device market, particularly the circulation of illegally imported and non-compliant devices.

It added that stolen devices reported to the appropriate authorities could also be identified and blocked from operating across Nigerian mobile networks.

Ogoh, however, assured Nigerians that the platform was designed strictly for device identification and Type Approval compliance and would not give the Commission access to the contents of users’ devices.

He stressed that the system would maintain device identification information, including IMEI numbers, but would neither enable the NCC to monitor personal communications nor access users’ private content.