Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) don bring out new way wey Nigerians fit take check whether phone wey dem wan buy na original or fake. Anybody fit dial *315# to check phone, as part of effort to stop fake phones and phones wey no meet the correct standard from entering Nigerian mobile networks.
NCC talk say this new arrangement na part of the stronger rules wey dem begin use on October 7, 2026, to protect people wey dey use phones, keep communication networks safe and make sure say phones wey dem dey sell and use for Nigeria meet the required standard.
As dem dey talk to news people for Abuja on Tuesday about the Commission work on phone standards and network safety, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, talk say the new arrangement go make am easier for NCC to monitor and enforce the rules wey already dey.
Ogoh explain say approval for phones no be just ordinary government rule, but important way to protect phone users, make networks work well and help people trust Nigeria digital economy.
He talk say after NCC bring out rules for phone approval for August 2024, the Commission don meet with phone makers, people wey dey bring phones enter Nigeria, phone sellers, network providers, government agencies and other groups wey dey work for the industry.
He add say NCC don work with Nigeria Customs Service and other groups to check phones wey already dey shops and warehouses, while making sure say new phones wey people bring enter Nigeria pass through the correct checking process.
According to NCC, anybody wey wan check phone fit dial *315# and follow the instructions wey go show for the phone screen. People fit also visit the Commission website through www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker
If na another phone person wan check, instead of the phone wey e dey use, e fit need the phone number wey dem dey use identify each device, wey dem call IMEI. This number get 15 digits, and person fit find am by dialling *#06# for the phone.
NCC advise Nigerians make dem check phone before dem pay money, especially when dem wan buy fairly used phone.
But the Commission make am clear say Nigerians wey dey buy phones from sellers inside the country no need to go and collect approval for the phones by themselves. Na mainly phone makers, importers, suppliers and businesses wey dey sell the devices get the responsibility to make sure say dem follow the rules.
NCC also explain say phones wey don already connect to Nigerian mobile networks before October 7, 2026, don automatically pass through the checking arrangement. Because of this, most people wey dey use those phones no need to do anything.
The checking arrangement cover smartphones, ordinary mobile phones, tablets wey fit use mobile network, some devices wey dey connect to the internet, payment machines wey dey use SIM cards, laptops wey fit connect to mobile networks and other similar devices.
The Commission warn say any phone or device wey no meet the required rules fit lose access to Nigerian mobile networks.
NCC explain say fake phones na phones wey people copy from original phone makers without their permission. But cloned phones na devices wey dey use IMEI number wey belong to another genuine phone.
As e dey address people wey dey worry about their privacy, Ogoh explain say dem create the system to know and check phones, no be to monitor wetin people dey do with their phones.
He talk say even though the arrangement dey use phone identification numbers, including IMEI, e no give NCC access to people phone calls, messages, pictures, contacts, bank information or other private files.
The Commission also make am clear say the phone checker no dey follow people movement or track the places wey dem dey go.
Earlier, Director of Public Affairs for NCC, Nneka Okoha, appeal to media houses make dem help spread information about the new phone checker and other work wey the Commission dey do.
Okoha talk say correct information na important thing wey go help government rules achieve wetin dem suppose achieve, especially among ordinary Nigerians for different communities.
She urge journalists to give people correct and balanced information so Nigerians go understand how the phone checker dey work, the benefits wey e get and wetin dem need to do when dem wan buy phones and other communication devices.NCC also warn Nigerians make dem beware of people wey fit try use the new checking arrangement to scam them. The Commission say make people use only the official *315# code and NCC website, and make dem no give anybody one-time verification code, whether na phone seller, caller or another person.
The Commission further explain say Nigerians wey dey travel go other countries and use foreign SIM cards for international roaming no go face any problem because of the new arrangement.
According to NCC, visitors wey wan use Nigerian SIM card inside phone wey never connect to any Nigerian network before fit use am for a total of up to 30 days within one year without completing the checking process.
The Commission say the arrangement get backing from Nigerian Communications Act 2003, especially Section 132(2), Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations 2024 and Type Approval Business Rules 2024.
