NCC Advises Nigerians to Verify Mobile Phones with *315# Before Purchase

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a new initiative to protect consumers from purchasing counterfeit mobile phones. By utilizing the device checker code *315#, Nigerians are encouraged to verify the status of mobile devices before making a purchase, ensuring they are buying approved and genuine products.

Eduyemi Ogoh, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, emphasized the importance of this verification process during an appearance on Newsnight on Arise Television. "Before you buy the phone, dial *315# and confirm that the phone is fully verified before you pay," he advised, highlighting that the check is especially crucial for individuals purchasing second-hand devices or phones imported from abroad.

The NCC's initiative aligns with its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, aimed at safeguarding consumers and addressing complaints regarding poor network services linked to mobile devices. Ogoh stated, "The whole intent of type approval is to ensure that every device coming into the country is genuine and works the way it should work." This move is expected to instill confidence in consumers regarding their purchases.

As of October 7, the NCC reported that approximately 231 million mobile devices in Nigeria had already undergone verification. Ogoh reassured consumers that the introduction of this device checker was a proactive step to combat the proliferation of fake and imitation phones in the market, which can lead to significant service disruptions.

"Consumers should be confident that they are spending their money on genuine devices, rather than an old phone device that is fake or an imitation of the real thing," Ogoh stated, urging buyers to take advantage of the verification system.