Nigeria Communications Commission says the Device Checker Platform recently introduced was aimed at checking the circulation of counterfeit, stolen, and unauthorised mobile phones in the country.

The NCC Kano zonal controller, Maigana Gidado, stated this during a press conference on Thursday in Kano, to update the public on NCC’s implementation of the device.

He urged the public to make it a habit to verify device status before purchasing to avoid buying counterfeit, cloned, and unauthorised mobile phones. According to him, the platform is an initiative designed to strengthen Type Approval compliance, protect consumers, and enhance the integrity of communications devices used on Nigerian networks.

“As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, it is important that devices connected to our networks comply with established technical and regulatory standards. The commission has made significant progress in implementing this initiative. Recently, the NCC streamlined the licensing and regularisation process, which enabled a significant number of device dealers in Kano state to get licensed,” he said.

In addition, he said, the Commission undertook stakeholder sensitisation engagements with importers and other industry participants in Lagos and other parts of the country to deepen awareness of the policy’s implementation.

“To further simplify compliance processes, the Commission has developed a user-friendly device checker application that enables authorised stakeholders to quickly scan device IMEIs and upload information directly to the platform, improving efficiency and ease of compliance,” he said.

He said the device checker was not a surveillance tool, but was designed to protect customers from buying cloned mobile phones.

“It does not access personal data, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information, or any other private content stored on a device. Its purpose is limited to device identification and regulatory compliance verification,” he said

Mr Gidado said NCC has also expanded resources on its website for consumers and industry stakeholders.

“Consumers can verify the status of a device before purchase through the Check Your Device portal. Stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers, can access the Type Approval & Device Verification Guide at www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide for guidance on their responsibilities under the Device Checker framework.

“Similarly, organisations seeking to obtain Equipment Type Approval can access application requirements and procedures through the Type Approval section of the Commission’s website,” he said

(NAN)