Things to know about checking your phone’s NCC approval status

Nigerians can now verify whether their mobile devices are approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) by dialing *315# or visiting the commission's Device Checker portal. The verification system, implemented on October 7, 2026, aims to ensure that devices used in Nigeria meet technical standards, protecting consumers and maintaining network performance.

NCC Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, emphasized that this Type Approval is crucial for consumer protection and maintaining confidence in Nigeria's digital economy.

To check a phone's approval status, consumers have several options. They can dial *315#, follow the prompts, or visit www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceChecker using their device's 15-digit IMEI number. If checking another person's phone, obtaining its IMEI through dialing *#06# is necessary. After verification, consumers must ensure the device is type-approved and verified for use on Nigerian mobile networks before purchasing.

Existing phone users, those already connected to Nigerian mobile networks before the new system, do not need to panic. They are automatically verified, having already registered about 231 million devices across the country. However, second-hand phones should still be checked by asking sellers for IMEI verification. The NCC clarified that the system doesn't provide access to users' private messages or enable tracking of physical locations. The verification process is a consumer protection measure, not a surveillance tool.