Second-Hand Phone Buyers Advised to Check NCC Approval.

Nigerians can check whether their mobile phones are approved for use on local networks by dialling *315# or visiting the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Device Checker portal, as the regulator strengthens enforcement of device standards.

The verification system took effect on October 7, 2026. The NCC says it is intended to ensure devices connecting to Nigerian mobile networks meet technical requirements and to protect consumers from counterfeit and substandard products.

To check a phone, users can dial *315# and follow the prompts, or visit **www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceChecker**. Those checking a different device may need its 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. The IMEI can be displayed by dialling *#06# on the phone.

Consumers are advised to confirm a device’s approval before buying it. If a result is unclear or the check fails, they should ask the seller for clarification or contact their network provider or the NCC.

The commission says people using phones that were already connected to Nigerian networks before October 7 do not need to take action. NCC Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, said about 231 million devices had already been registered and would not be blacklisted under the new system.

The advice also applies to buyers of second-hand phones. Previous use on a Nigerian network does not necessarily confirm that a device meets the requirements, so buyers should retrieve its IMEI and check its status before paying. A failed result does not automatically mean a phone is counterfeit; consumers should seek confirmation before completing a purchase.

The rules cover SIM-enabled devices intended to connect to local networks, including smartphones, feature phones, cellular tablets, SIM-enabled laptops, point-of-sale terminals and eligible Internet of Things devices. Devices found to be non-compliant may be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks.

The NCC has also said the system is not a surveillance tool. It uses device identification information, including IMEI numbers, to check compliance and does not provide access to personal messages, photos, files or users’ physical locations.

Foreign visitors using international roaming with foreign SIM cards are not affected. Phones brought into Nigeria for use with a local SIM, but never previously connected to a Nigerian network, may be used for up to 30 cumulative days in a one-year period without verification, according to the commission’s guidelines.

Anyone experiencing verification problems should confirm the IMEI was entered correctly, then contact the seller, network provider or NCC. The commission advises consumers to use official channels and never share one-time verification codes with sellers or callers.