The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to verify mobile phones before purchasing them by using its device checker code, *315#, to determine whether the devices have been approved and verified for use on Nigerian mobile networks.
The commission said the verification process was particularly important for people buying second-hand phones or devices imported from abroad, as it could help them identify potential compliance issues before paying for a device.
According to the NCC, buyers can also use the device checker available on its website to establish the verification status of a mobile phone.
NCC Explains How to Check a Phone Before Purchase
Speaking on Newsnight on Arise Television, the NCC's Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Eduyemi Ogoh, advised consumers to check a device before completing a purchase.
“Before you buy the phone, dial *315# and confirm that the phone is fully verified before you pay,” Ogoh said.
To use the service, buyers can dial *315# and follow the prompts to enter the phone's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a unique identification number assigned to each mobile device.
The NCC said buyers could request the IMEI from a seller and check the device's status before making payment.
The commission explained that the service was introduced to protect consumers, fulfil its responsibilities under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and address complaints about poor network service linked to mobile devices.
Why the NCC Wants Consumers to Verify Their Phones
Ogoh explained that some complaints about poor network quality had been traced to the devices consumers were using.
According to him, unapproved or improperly functioning phones may affect their users and other people within the same area.
He said the purpose of type approval was to ensure that mobile devices entering Nigeria were genuine and capable of functioning according to the applicable technical standards.
The NCC's device verification initiative is therefore intended to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and reduce the risk of spending money on imitation products or devices that may not work properly on local networks.
Difference Between Type Approval and Device Verification
The NCC explained that type approval and device verification are related but different processes.
Type approval involves laboratory testing of a phone model to determine whether it meets the relevant technical requirements and can operate properly on Nigerian networks. The commission said this approval is generally obtained once for each model, with manufacturers, vendors or importers responsible for securing it.
Device verification, on the other hand, confirms whether an individual phone has been registered on the NCC's device checker system using its IMEI.
Ogoh stressed that a phone failing the verification check does not automatically mean that it is counterfeit. Consumers should therefore seek clarification about the device's status before making a final decision.
NCC Gives Details of Device Compliance Process
Ogoh said the enhanced compliance process applied to devices brought into Nigeria from October 7. He added that devices already operating on Nigerian networks at midnight on October 6 had been onboarded and verified.
According to the figures he provided, approximately 231 million existing devices had been registered under the process.
He also reassured owners that the initiative was not intended to force people to discard phones they had already purchased and were using.
The commission's stated objective is to improve device compliance while protecting consumers and supporting the quality of telecommunications services.
NCC Addresses Privacy Concerns
The commission also sought to reassure consumers concerned about the privacy implications of checking their phones.
Ogoh said the checker uses the device's IMEI to verify its status and does not give the NCC access to a user's calls, contacts, text messages or other stored information.
The verification process is intended to establish the status of the phone rather than inspect the owner's personal data.
NCC Provides Complaint Channels
Consumers experiencing difficulties with the device checker can contact the NCC through the channels provided by the commission.
According to Ogoh, consumers can dial 315 for complaints relating to the device checker, while the NCC's general consumer complaint line is 622.
What Nigerians Should Do Before Buying a Phone
Before purchasing a new or second-hand mobile phone, buyers should:
Request the device's IMEI from the seller.
Dial *315# and follow the instructions to check its verification status.
Confirm the device's status before making payment.
Ask questions or seek clarification if the device fails the check.
Avoid paying for a phone if the seller refuses to allow reasonable verification.
The NCC's advice is clear: verify a phone before paying for it. Taking a few minutes to check a device could help buyers avoid unexpected problems and make better-informed purchasing decisions.
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