The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review its mobile phone device verification requirements over concerns that the policy could increase phone prices and lead to genuine devices being wrongly rejected or blocked.
The resolution followed a motion by Sani Wakili, who represents a Kano constituency, calling for the commission to reassess the implementation of its verification framework in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Lawmakers warned that compliance costs under the Device Management System and Central Equipment Identity Register could increase expenses for importers and retailers, with the burden potentially passed on to consumers.
The House also raised concerns that technical errors, database mismatches and limitations in the verification system could affect legitimate users, particularly those who rely on second-hand phones because they are more affordable. While acknowledging the NCC’s efforts to tackle counterfeit, cloned and stolen devices, lawmakers stressed that enforcement should not unfairly penalise genuine businesses or restrict access to affordable communication devices.
The lawmakers urged the NCC to simplify verification procedures, reduce compliance costs and establish an accessible process for verifying used phones to prevent genuine devices from being wrongly blocked. They also directed the House Committees on Communications and Commerce to engage the commission and other stakeholders and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
The Committee on Legislative Compliance was tasked with monitoring the implementation of the resolution. The proposed review is intended to balance device security with consumer protection and affordability, given the importance of mobile phones for banking, education, business and other essential services.