Mobile phone technicians in Nigeria, under the Association of Mobile Communication Device Technicians of Nigeria (AMCODET), have called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce the registration of mobile phones at the point of purchase.
The group believed that such a policy would help curb rampant phone theft and enhance security within the mobile device industry. AMCODET President, Mr. Kehinde Apara, made this appeal during an interview in Lagos, stressing that registering mobile phones would make it harder for criminals to resell stolen devices.
Apara further noted that many technicians have been unfairly accused of being accomplices in phone theft cases, as stolen devices often end up in repair shops. He argued that mandatory phone registration would not only deter criminals but also protect technicians from harassment by security agencies. According to him, innocent technicians have repeatedly been labeled as criminals simply because they unknowingly handled stolen phones brought in for repairs.
He also highlighted AMCODET’s contribution to mobile security efforts, particularly the introduction of the NIN-SIM linkage policy, which was originally proposed by the association to address mobile theft and insecurity. While he acknowledged its benefits, he insisted that linking SIM cards to the National Identification Number (NIN) alone is not sufficient to tackle the issue, hence the need for phone registration.
Beyond security concerns, Apara emphasized the need for more investment in Nigeria’s mobile phone industry, calling on individuals and private organizations to support local technological development. He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s ability to manufacture its own mobile devices if given the right backing, reducing reliance on imported technology.