Dr Aminu Maida NCC EVC
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to expand its Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) across multiple sectors to combat financial fraud, protect compromised digital identities, and eliminate risks associated with recycled phone numbers.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos during the 95th Telecom Consumer Parliament organized by the regulator.
Highlighting how phone numbers now serve as fundamental digital identities for financial services, pension management, and online commerce, Maida explained that the NCC is collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to integrate the verification system across industries that rely on phone numbers for customer identity and transaction verification.
“A phone number has also become part of our digital identity, used to access financial services, manage pensions and shop online,” Maida said. He noted that the initiative will allow institutions to identify recycled numbers and flag those associated with fraudulent activities, preventing unauthorized access to personal accounts.
Network Quality, Infrastructure Protection, and Consumer Compensation
Beyond identity protection, the NCC head highlighted major regulatory interventions achieved in 2026:
Infrastructure Interventions: The commission recorded over 6,500 network interventions in 2026 including equipment upgrades and capacity expansions to enhance call reliability and internet speeds nationwide.
Consumer Compensations: Under the NCC Consumer Compensation Framework, 75 million subscribers received airtime compensation for poor service quality in 2026.
Failed Transaction Refunds: Nearly 3 million subscribers received refunds for failed airtime and data purchases through a joint framework involving the CBN, telecom operators, and financial service providers to streamline resolution between banks and telcos.
Despite the compensations, Maida emphasised that preventing service failures remains the commission’s primary objective.
“Compensation matters, but it cannot recover a lost business opportunity or an important conversation that could not take place,” Maida asserted.
He further called on local communities to assist in safeguarding telecom infrastructure by reporting vandalism and theft, noting that damaged fiber cables severely disrupt services across whole regions.
Data Transparency and Consumer Empowerment Measures
To protect consumers against billing opacity and unapproved hardware, the NCC is introducing several key initiatives:
Data Usage Notifications: Upcoming guidelines will mandate clearer reporting on daily data consumption, remaining balances, and detailed usage breakdowns.
Tariff Simplification: Operators will be required to simplify bundle pricing, allowances, and validity periods, as well as investigate disputed data usage fairly.
Device Checker Portal: Consumers were advised to verify mobile devices before purchase by dialing *315# or calling 315 to ensure compliance with Type Approval standards and avoid counterfeit or unsafe products.
Dispute Resolution Channels: Subscribers facing unresolved issues were urged to obtain a complaint reference number from their provider before escalating to the NCC via its toll-free helpline, 622.
Speaking earlier, Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner of Stakeholder Management at the NCC, urged service providers to deliver concrete commitments on connection reliability, transparent billing, and swift dispute resolution, ensuring consumer feedback directly translates into measurable service improvements. (NAN)
