Nigerian Communications Commission says subscribers do not have to submit their International Mobile Equipment Identity as the phone data would be automatically captured by a Device Management System the NCC plans to deploy.
NCC’s explanation was contained in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Adinde, titled, ‘Subscribers not required to submit International Mobile Equipment Identity number.’
He stated this in his reaction to media reports 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.
The NCC spokesman explained that the DMS to be deployed will essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks.
According to the statement, “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.”