The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has denied asking subscribers to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of their phones with effect from July 2021.
The reaction follows several media reports of a recent directive by the NCC asking all mobile phone users to register their International Mobile Equipment Identity with the Commission.
This clarification is contained in a press statement issued by the NCC on Friday, May 21, 2021, and signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde.
Adinde in the statement said that at no time did the commission issue a statement regarding the registration of IMEI by subscribers and has no plans to do so.
READ: NCC reacts to speculations of mass disconnection of subscribers over NIN
What NCC is saying about the IMEI Controversy
Adinde in the statement, on behalf of NCC, said, ‘’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 (IMEI) 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.
READ: NCC asks MTN, Airtel, others to block lines without NIN in 2 weeks
It is pertinent to state that the Commission is in the process of deploying a Device Management System (DMS). 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.
The statement also advised the general public to disregard the said publications, which have created the erroneous impression that telephone subscribers will be required to register their IMEI with their networks.
READ: How NCC’s Strategic Management Plan will drive digital economy
In case you missed it
Following the reported directive by the NCC that all mobile phone subscribers should register their IMEI with the commission, several Nigerians have expressed their displeasure at the new initiative.
While some of them described the directive as an unconstitutional order, others called for a peaceful protest against the NCC’s move to register their objection to the policy.
