After nearly a decade of planning, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun implementing its long-awaited Device Management System (DMS)—a digital framework designed to block fake, cloned, and stolen phones from connecting to mobile networks across the country. Developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the system will track all devices via their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, serving as a “single control point” to monitor Nigeria’s vast 200-million-user telecom market and eliminate substandard devices that compromise network quality and user safety.
The NCC said the rollout will be gradual, emphasizing that the DMS aims to protect consumers and improve service standards rather than restrict access. Counterfeit devices currently make up a significant share of Nigeria’s tech market, with reports indicating that four in ten gadgets are fake or substandard. The Commission also linked the surge in phone theft—over 25 million devices stolen between May 2023 and April 2024—to the need for a stronger device registry. Once the DMS is fully operational, stolen or fake phones will be automatically blacklisted and disconnected from all Nigerian networks.
Beyond consumer protection, the system has national security implications. According to the NCC, cloned and untraceable phones have long been used in crimes such as fraud, kidnapping, and terrorism, with some counterfeit devices found preloaded with malware and spyware. The DMS will enable regulators to trace such phones and enhance national cybersecurity. The initiative, modeled after similar systems in India and Lebanon, has been certified by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and will involve collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to ensure quality assurance and data protection compliance.
However, experts have raised concerns about possible overreach and technical disruptions. Industry analysts warn that data errors or overly broad definitions of “counterfeit” could mistakenly block legitimate users, while others fear the system could evolve into a surveillance tool if not properly regulated. Despite these concerns, the NCC insists that the DMS complies with Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and will strike a balance between enforcement and accessibility. As Nigeria strengthens its fight against substandard devices, the success of the DMS will depend on transparent implementation and public trust in the system’s fairness and security.