The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned producers, importers, distributors and dealers of SIM-enabled gadgets to adjust to its sort approval and device verification necessities or threat having non-compliant gadgets restricted from accessing Nigerian cellular telecommunications networks.
The Commission mentioned it was strengthening the monitoring and enforcement of current laws by way of technology-enabled verification to make sure that gadgets imported, offered and utilized in Nigeria meet relevant requirements.
The NCC disclosed this in a discover signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, reminding Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Original Device Manufacturers (ODMs), importers, distributors, dealers and retailers of their statutory obligations underneath the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Type Approval Regulations 2024 and the Type Approval Business Rules 2024.
According to the Commission, all device fashions supposed for importation, meeting, distribution or sale in Nigeria should acquire the required NCC Type Approval, as stipulated in Section 132 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and Regulation 4 of the Type Approval Regulations 2024.
It additionally directed OEMs, ODMs, importers and different accountable suppliers to make sure that the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) data of particular person gadgets is submitted by way of the accepted compliance course of for verification earlier than sale and distribution.
The Commission urged distributors, dealers and retailers to confirm that gadgets already of their inventory meet the relevant sort approval and verification necessities, advising them to work with their suppliers to resolve any excellent compliance points.
It added that new imports should additionally fulfill the necessities earlier than being launched into the Nigerian market.
The NCC mentioned it had engaged OEMs, ODMs, importers and related business associations as a part of its participatory regulatory strategy.
It, nevertheless, inspired companies that had not participated within the engagements or had been unsure in regards to the compliance course of to hunt steerage by way of its accepted onboarding and help channels.
The Commission defined that the automated sort approval compliance course of would strengthen its oversight of gadgets coming into Nigeria and enhance its capacity to establish potential irregularities of their importation and distribution.
It added that the initiative, being carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, would help the reconciliation of import data, compliance with relevant duties and truthful competitors amongst companies.
The NCC warned that, upon full implementation, gadgets that fail to satisfy the relevant necessities might be restricted from accessing Nigerian cellular telecommunications networks in keeping with the accepted enforcement framework.
The Commission reaffirmed its dedication to working with business stakeholders to facilitate compliance, shield shoppers and promote a good and sustainable marketplace for communications gadgets.
It suggested stakeholders searching for compliance steerage and onboarding help to go to its web site at www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide or name 315 for help.
