Emma Okonji
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to the deployment of technology platforms that will strengthen trust, security and integrity within Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem and the broader digital economy.
NCC restated this in a communique it issued at the end of its 110th board meeting, which held in Abuja recently.
At the meeting, the board received updates on strategic priorities, operational performance and market developments as part of the report of the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida. The board also considered key regulatory and industry matters affecting the telecommunications sector.
According to the communique, Device Management System (DMS) is now live and is supporting enhanced type approval compliance through technology. The DMS will improve the commission’s ability to verify device compliance, discourage the circulation of non-compliant devices and support efforts to deter mobile device theft by enabling reported stolen devices to be blocked across Nigerian networks.
According to NCC, the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), together with its associated business rules, is scheduled to go live in October 2026. TIRMS will strengthen the governance of telecommunications identities, including mobile numbers, and reduce risks associated with the misuse, reassignment or recycling of such identities, particularly as they are increasingly linked to financial, social and other digital services.
The NCC board reaffirmed the importance of deploying these regulatory technology platforms in a manner that protects consumers, supports lawful digital services, strengthens market integrity and remains consistent with applicable legal, privacy and data protection requirements.
In the area of infrastructure expansion, NCC noted that 8,526 out of the 12,179 committed coverage and capacity sites have now been deployed across the country, representing approximately 70 per cent of the communicated commitments. This, according to NCC, reflects accelerated progress from the approximately 5,000 sites reported at the last meeting.
In the area of educational reforms, the NCC board reviewed the progress made by management in its engagement with industry players and relevant stakeholders towards developing a framework for zero- rating educational platforms and content in Nigeria, and noted that the initiative was aimed at promoting digital inclusion and enhancing access to educational resources for students. It commended the valuable collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in supporting the initiative.
The board further noted that the initiative would be officially launched this September, with the Go-Live date scheduled for October 1, 2026.
For its Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), the NCC board considered the report and recommendations on the proposed repositioning of the institute, including the development of a strategic roadmap to strengthen its relevance and long-term sustainability.
For resurgence of call masking activities in the telecommunications industry, the NCC board expressed concern over the implications for the integrity, security and orderly development of the telecommunications ecosystem. It reiterated the commission’s zero-tolerance position on call masking, which it said, remained an unacceptable practice and a serious regulatory concern. The board further noted that call masking would undermine legitimate telecommunications operations, distort industry revenues and would constitute an act of economic sabotage capable of adversely impacting the national economy.
NCC therefore resolved to collaborate with relevant security and law-enforcement agencies, as well as industry stakeholders, to identify, prevent and eliminate call masking activities.