NCC Urges Nigerians to Dial *315# to Verify Approved Devices

NCC Urges Nigerians to Dial *315# to Verify Approved Devices

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged consumers to verify the approval status of mobile phones and other communication devices before purchase by using its Device Checker service.

The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department of the NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, made the call during a media engagement on the Commission’s Device Checker and Type Approval initiative.

Ogoh encouraged Nigerians purchasing mobile phones, tablets, modems, Point of Sale (POS) terminals and other SIM-enabled devices to ask sellers about their NCC approval status and independently verify their compliance.

He explained that the initiative is designed to promote compliance with regulatory standards, protect consumers and strengthen the integrity, reliability and efficiency of telecommunications networks across the country.

Consumers can dial *315# to access the Device Checker service and verify whether a device has received the required NCC approval.

According to the Commission, non-compliant devices can pose challenges to network performance and complicate regulatory oversight, making effective type approval compliance essential to a reliable telecommunications ecosystem.

Addressing concerns about privacy, Ogoh clarified that the compliance framework is strictly intended to support device identification and type approval requirements and is not a surveillance tool.

He explained that the framework may maintain device identification information, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, for regulatory purposes, but does not give the Commission access to users’ personal communications, photographs, messages, contacts, financial information or other content stored on their devices.

The director reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to consumer privacy, transparency and continuous public sensitisation to ensure that consumers and other stakeholders understand the purpose of the initiative.

He called for collective action among government agencies, telecoms operators, equipment manufacturers, dealers, market associations, consumer groups and the media to promote compliance.

Ogoh stressed that a stronger telecommunications sector requires effective standards and compliance, urging Nigerians to take an active role in ensuring that devices offered for sale meet the applicable regulatory requirements.