Experts Seek Tougher Enforcement As Fake Phones Flood The Market

Telecommunications industry stakeholders have called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to strengthen enforcement against counterfeit and cloned mobile phones, warning that its new device verification system may have limited impact unless importers, distributors and dealers supplying non-compliant devices face appropriate sanctions.
The stakeholders said the commission’s Device Checker, which became operational on October 7, 2026, must go beyond helping consumers identify questionable devices to tracing their sources, investigating violations and holding businesses accountable for introducing such products into the Nigerian market.
They warned that without effective enfor...