Reps urge NCC to review phone verification rules over price

Politics Spice Special Features Education Sex & Relationship Interview Columns Opinion Advertise with us Reps urge NCC to review phone verification rules over price News October 29, 2026 1:44 pm File: House of Representatives

The House of Representatives has called for a review of how the Nigerian Communications Commission is implementing its mobile phone device verification requirements, over fears that the policy could push up phone prices and lead to legitimate used devices being rejected or blocked.

Lawmakers also worried that the cost and complexity of compliance could weigh heavily on small-scale importers and retailers, with possible effects on access to affordable phones.

The resolution followed a motion by Sani Wakili, who represents a Kano constituency. He urged the NCC to revisit the implementation of its device verification framework in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The framework runs on the Device Management System and the Central Equipment Identity Register, which identify and verify mobile phones and other SIM-enabled devices using their International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers.

The House noted that the enhanced verification requirements, which took effect on October 7, 2026, “impose compliance obligations on newly imported devices and could increase operating costs for importers and retailers.”

It cautioned that such costs could be passed on to consumers “through higher prices, making mobile phones less affordable, particularly for low-income Nigerians who depend on them for communication, education and business.”

Lawmakers also raised the possibility of technical errors, database mismatches and limitations in the NCC’s scanning and verification system causing genuine phones to be rejected or blocked.

The House said, “Such challenges may create difficulties for lawful users and businesses, particularly in the second-hand phone market, where many Nigerians purchase devices at lower prices.”

While acknowledging the NCC’s efforts to tackle counterfeit, cloned and stolen devices, the House stressed that enforcement must not unfairly penalise legitimate businesses or shut Nigerians out of affordable communication devices.

It therefore urged the commission to review the framework’s implementation, simplify the verification procedures and cut compliance costs. It also asked the NCC to set up a fair and accessible verification process for used and second-hand phones, so that legitimate devices are not wrongly rejected or blocked.

To examine the policy further, the House directed its Committees on Communications and Commerce to engage the NCC and other stakeholders and report back within four weeks for further legislative action. The Committee on Legislative Compliance was tasked with ensuring that the resolution is carried out.

The proposed review comes as mobile phones play an increasingly central role in Nigerians’ daily economic and social lives. Beyond calls and messaging, they provide access to digital banking, online learning, e-commerce and other essential services.

For many Nigerians, second-hand phones are a cheaper alternative to new ones. A verification system that wrongly excludes genuine used devices could therefore hurt both consumers and traders whose livelihoods depend on the resale market.

The outcome of the engagement is expected to help the House judge whether current arrangements strike the right balance between device security, regulatory compliance, consumer protection and affordability.

The NCC’s measures are meant to improve the identification of mobile devices and help curb problems linked to counterfeit and illegally duplicated equipment.

The House’s intervention is aimed at ensuring those goals are met without unnecessary costs or avoidable hardship for legitimate users and businesses.

Dirisu Yakubu is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience covering parliament, politics, and development issues. He specializes in reporting that provides context and insight into legislative and governance matters. Dirisu’s work reflects extensive newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and impactful journalism.

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