NCC Replies Nigerians: We’ll Capture Phone’s IMEI Number Automatically

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday said it plans to automatically capture the phone data of Nigerians by deploying Device Management System, as it said subscribers need not submit their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).

According to a statement by Director of Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Adinde, subscribers aren’t required to submit their IMEI number.

Adinde was responding to harsh reactions that the announcement has generated among Nigerians as earlier reported by The New Diplomat.

He stated that the commission had in its Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration asked that Nigerians submit the IMEI of their phones to it from July.

Adinde explained that the DMS to be deployed would essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks.

The statement by the NCC Director of Public Affairs reads, “The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission has been drawn to several media publications to the effect that the Commission will require Nigerians to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity of their phones to it from July, 2021.

“At no time did the commission issue a statement regarding the registration of IMEI by subscribers and it has no plans to do so.

“The reports in question have emanated from a section of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and which has been uploaded on the Commission’s website.

“It is pertinent to state that the Commission is in the process of deploying a Device Management System. The DMS will essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks. The system will capture IMEI automatically without any requirement for subscribers to submit same.”