The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has extended the deadline for the registration of SIM-enabled mobile phones and other communication devices under its Device Management System (DMS).
The commission moved the deadline for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), importers, dealers and vendors to upload the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of devices in their existing stock from September 7 to October 6, 2026.
The DMS initiative is designed to help tackle phone theft, counterfeiting and the circulation of improperly registered communication devices in Nigeria. Under the system, stakeholders are expected to provide details of eligible devices before the platform becomes fully operational.
The deadline extension followed complaints from industry stakeholders who experienced difficulties completing the onboarding process through the NCC’s online portal. The commission also noted that some businesses could not complete the process because they lacked the necessary licences or certifications.
The NCC has therefore urged unlicensed manufacturers, importers, dealers and vendors to begin the process of obtaining or regularising their licences.
Despite the extension, industry stakeholders have called for a phased implementation of the DMS. Members of the Association of Mobile Communication Device Technicians of Nigeria and other industry players expressed concerns that the available timeframe remains insufficient, particularly for businesses handling large volumes of devices.
Stakeholders have also raised concerns about the absence of a clearly defined appeal mechanism for devices whose IMEI numbers could be wrongly flagged because of software faults, repairs or technical problems.
Importers are additionally worried that the new requirements could increase operating costs, particularly for shipments already in transit. They fear such additional expenses could eventually be passed on to consumers through higher device prices.
There are also questions about whether the DMS platform can handle millions of devices without technical difficulties. Stakeholders reportedly experienced glitches during a demonstration, although the NCC attributed the problem to an ongoing system update.
The commission is expected to consider recommendations from stakeholders as preparations continue for the full implementation of the device registration system.
FG Orders Registration of all SIM-Enabled Devices in Nigeria
