Nigeria: NCC launches IMEI registry to block non-compliant devices

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) launched the first phase of a centralized registration and authentication system for devices using a SIM card in Nigeria on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The regulator aims to more effectively control equipment imported or sold in the country and prevent non-compliant devices from accessing mobile networks.

The system relies on a Device Management System (DMS), which is responsible for automating the verification of technical authorizations. It will feed into a central registry of IMEI numbers, the unique identifier associated with phones and other mobile devices compatible with a SIM card.

The NCC specifies that any communication device with a SIM introduced in Nigeria must be registered before it can be sold. Equipment that is not duly registered will not be allowed to operate on Nigerian networks.

The first phase concerns devices already in stock as well as new equipment being imported. According to TheCable, which cites an email from the Commission, the deadline for registering devices already in stock has been extended to October 6, 2026, following difficulties reported by some manufacturers, importers, retailers, and distributors.

A central registry for IMEI numbers

The regulator is relying on Article 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, which requires operators, manufacturers, and suppliers to obtain type approval before communication equipment can be sold or used in the country.

The NCC states that the approval rules published in August 2024 have paved the way for the creation of the Central Equipment Identity Register. The registry is intended to allow for quicker verification of whether devices meet applicable technical and regulatory standards.

The system will also facilitate the identification of illegally imported or non-compliant devices. Terminals reported as stolen can be blocked on mobile networks using their IMEI number, even if the SIM card is changed.

The implementation involves the Nigeria Customs Service, equipment manufacturers, importers, and professional associations. Edoyemi Ogoh, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, clarified that the platform will retain identification data such as IMEI numbers without granting the regulator access to the content of devices or personal communications.