The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched its Device Management System (DMS) and rolled out the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to leverage technology for stricter type approval oversight of SIM-enabled communication devices. Unregistered devices will be barred from accessing the country’s mobile networks.
This regulatory framework is established under the “Nigerian Communications Act 2003” and the Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024. The DMS builds the CEIR central register based on device IMEI numbers, enabling electronic verification of imported and commercially available SIM-enabled communication devices. Per the regulations, device manufacturers, importers and licensed operators must obtain NCC type approval before selling communication devices. In the first phase of the project, existing inventory devices will be registered in the database, while newly imported devices will undergo registration and verification. The NCC is collaborating with customs authorities, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), importers and industry associations to advance the rollout in parallel.
Beyond regulating the device market, the new rules enable the identification of illegally smuggled and non-compliant terminals, and allow stolen or reported lost devices to be blocked across all national mobile networks. The NCC has specifically clarified that the platform only performs device identity verification and retains only device identification information such as IMEI numbers; it does not access internal content on user devices, nor does it monitor personal communications data.
Restricting unapproved parallel imports and counterfeit devices from accessing networks will erode the hardware base that criminals rely on to carry out SMS fraud via anonymous terminals. Meanwhile, cross-border SMS service providers should note that tighter terminal compliance controls may indirectly affect SMS delivery performance for some numbers.
