The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has rolled out a Device Management System (DMS) that requires all SIM-enabled mobile devices to be registered using their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers before they can be sold or activated on Nigerian networks, sparking concern among phone traders that retail prices could rise further in an already difficult market.

Under the new framework, licensed importers must obtain NCC type approval, upload device IMEI numbers and purchase invoices to the DMS portal, pay a validation fee, and receive a pre-authorisation QR code.

The Nigeria Customs Service then verifies the documents before approved devices are cleared for use on local networks.

Edoyemi Ogoh, director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, said the central registry would strengthen compliance with the Commission's type-approval requirements.

The NCC also clarified that the DMS is built for device identification and regulatory compliance and does not give the Commission access to users' personal communications or phone contents.

New phone prices in Nigeria

The registration charges stand at about N670 per IMEI for standard and lower-cost phones and more than N3,700 for high-end devices.

A senior official involved in DMS stakeholder engagements said the fee alone should not push re-tail prices up significantly, as importers rather than consumers bear the direct cost.

However, the same official warned that some importers could use the new requirement to justify much larger increases, potentially adding N15,000 or N20,000 to a device that attracted a validation fee of just N3,700.

The Sun reports that the Association of Mobile Phones and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria said it does not oppose the DMS itself but objected to the financial obligations tied to registering newly imported devices.

Their concern comes as Nigerians already contend with higher phone prices driven by inflation, foreign exchange volatility and shipping costs. Budget smartphones that once sold for N50,000 to N100,000 now commonly fetch N75,000 to N150,000, while mid-range devices can cost N250,000 to N500,000 and premium models can exceed N1 million.

Smaller traders and used phones face uncertainty

The DMS is also expected to affect smaller importers, used-phone dealers, refurbishers and re-pair technicians.

By linking IMEI records with import documentation and network access, the system will make it easier for the NCC to flag stolen, cloned, counterfeit and non-compliant devices.

Stakeholders have, however, raised questions about how the system will handle legitimate used and repaired phones, particularly where repairs alter a device's technical identity.

NCC extends registration deadline

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the NCC extended deadline for businesses to register existing stock on the DMS from September 7 to October 6, 2026.

The DMS is being introduced as part of efforts to tackle phone theft, counterfeiting, and the circu-lation of improperly registered devices in Nigeria.

The NCC said some industry players were unable to complete registration because they did not have the required licences or certifications.