The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on Nigerians to confirm the verification status of mobile phones before paying for them, warning that unverified devices could expose consumers to avoidable problems and affect telecommunications service quality.
The commission advised prospective buyers to use its device verification code, *315#, to establish the status of a handset before completing a transaction.
The recommendation is particularly important for people purchasing second-hand phones or devices imported from outside the country.
According to the NCC, consumers can also use the device checker available on its official website to determine whether a phone model has received the necessary type approval and whether an individual handset has been registered on its verification platform.
The commission’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Eduyemi Ogoh, provided the explanation during an appearance on Newsnight, a programme aired on Arise Television.
Ogoh urged Nigerians to make device verification part of their purchasing routine, stressing that checking a phone’s status before payment could help buyers make more informed decisions.
“Before you buy the phone, dial *315# and confirm that the phone is fully verified before you pay,” he said.
How Nigerians can verify phones before payment
The NCC’s device checker allows consumers to check a handset using its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a unique number assigned to identify a mobile device.
According to Ogoh, buyers can request the IMEI from a seller and use the verification service before handing over their money.
This precaution could be particularly useful when purchasing phones from individual sellers, second-hand dealers or vendors offering devices imported from abroad.
The process involves dialling *315# and following the instructions to provide the required device information.
Checking a handset before purchase could help consumers identify verification issues early and seek clarification before committing to a transaction.
The commission’s advice also encourages buyers to look beyond a phone’s physical appearance, advertised specifications or selling price when deciding whether to purchase it.
However, the NCC official clarified that a device failing the verification check should not automatically be classified as counterfeit.
Consumers may need additional information to understand why a particular handset has not been confirmed by the system.
NCC explains phone type approval requirements
Ogoh explained that type approval and device verification serve different purposes within the commission’s regulatory framework.
Type approval involves laboratory testing of a particular mobile phone model to establish whether it meets the applicable technical requirements and can function appropriately on Nigerian telecommunications networks.
The procedure is generally conducted once for a model rather than separately for every handset produced.
“Type approval is done just once per model,” Ogoh said.
He explained that manufacturers, vendors and importers were responsible for ensuring that the relevant type approval requirements were satisfied.
Individual device verification, however, focuses on confirming whether a specific handset has been registered on the NCC’s device checker system through its IMEI.
This distinction is important because a failed verification does not, on its own, prove that a phone is fake. Buyers should establish the reason for the result and seek clarification where necessary.
The commission’s approach is intended to strengthen compliance with technical standards while helping consumers understand the status of the devices they intend to purchase.
Unverified devices may contribute to network problems
The NCC said its device checker was introduced as part of its responsibilities under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, including protecting consumers and addressing complaints about telecommunications service quality.
Ogoh explained that phones must meet the appropriate technical standards to ensure they operate as intended on Nigerian networks.
“The whole intent of [type approval] is to ensure that every device coming into the country is genuine and works the way it should work,” he said.
According to him, the commission has found that some complaints about poor network performance could be linked to the mobile devices being used rather than solely to telecommunications service providers.
He noted that unapproved or improperly functioning devices could affect their owners’ experience and, in some circumstances, have implications for other users in the same area.
The commission’s position highlights the importance of ensuring that mobile phones meet applicable technical requirements instead of assuming that every network problem originates from a telecommunications operator.
For consumers, checking a handset before purchase could provide an additional layer of protection against devices that may not function properly on local networks.
NCC clarifies rules for existing phones
The commission also addressed concerns about its enhanced compliance process, which applies to devices brought into Nigeria from October 7.
Ogoh disclosed that mobile phones already operating on Nigerian telecommunications networks as of midnight on October 6 had been onboarded and verified under the arrangement.
He said approximately 231 million devices had been registered through the process.
The NCC official explained that the commission recognised that Nigerians had already spent money purchasing their existing phones and did not intend to require users to discard those devices simply because of the new compliance measures.
“We know that people have spent their money to do this, so you cannot be asking them to go and throw those phones out,” he said.
The clarification is intended to address concerns among existing phone owners about the implications of the enhanced compliance process.
Prospective buyers, however, have been encouraged to check devices before purchase, particularly where the handset’s verification status is uncertain.
Commission addresses privacy concerns
Ogoh also sought to reassure consumers concerned about the privacy implications of using the verification service.
He explained that the checker uses a handset’s IMEI to establish its status and does not give the NCC access to the owner’s calls, contacts, text messages or other information stored on the device.
The distinction is significant for users who may be hesitant to use the service because they fear that checking a phone could expose their personal information.
According to the commission, the tool is designed to verify device information rather than inspect private communications or personal files.
NCC provides channels for consumer complaints
The commission encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of the verification service whenever they intend to purchase a mobile phone.
Consumers experiencing difficulties with the device checker can contact the NCC by dialling 315, while the commission’s consumer complaint line is 622.
The advice comes as the regulator continues efforts to improve compliance with technical standards and address issues affecting the quality of telecommunications services.
For Nigerians buying new, used or imported handsets, the central message is to check the device’s status before payment rather than wait until a problem emerges.
By confirming the available verification information and seeking clarification where necessary, buyers can make better-informed purchasing decisions and reduce the risk of avoidable complications.
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