NCC introduce platform allowing banks, telcos to verify phone numbers before granting access to services
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a new telecoms identity risk management system (TIRMS) aimed at tackling fraud linked to mobile numbers and strengthening digital security across sectors.
On February 27, NCC announced plans to launch a cross-sector platform that will allow financial and security regulators to track recycled phone numbers to prevent fraud linked to SIM card reassignment.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ consultative forum in Abuja on Thursday, Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman (EVC) of the commission, said the platform will provide a unified framework for managing risks associated with mobile numbers.
Maida said mobile phone numbers, also known as MSISDNs, have become critical identifiers for financial transactions, digital authentication, and access to essential services.
However, he said vulnerabilities linked to recycled, swapped, and fraudulently used SIM cards have emerged as a major channel for financial crimes and identity theft.
“The fraudulent use of churned, recycled, swapped, and barred MSISDNs has become a significant vector for financial fraud and identity theft,” Maida said.
“To address this, the commission has initiated the TIRMS platform to provide a secure, regulatory-backed, cross-sectoral system for managing risks relating to the integrity and utilisation of mobile numbers.”
The EVC said the platform will enable service providers, including banks and telecom operators, to verify mobile numbers flagged for suspicious or fraudulent activities before granting access to services.
He added that the system will also enhance accountability and improve trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The NCC boss said the commission has proposed amendments to existing regulations to support the platform, including new rules requiring telecom operators to notify subscribers at least 14 days before deactivating their lines.
He said operators will also be mandated to submit details of churned numbers to the TIRMS platform within seven days, while a new framework will be introduced for blocking fraudulently registered SIM cards.
Maida added the initiative reflects the commission’s push for cross-sector collaboration involving security agencies, financial regulators, telecom operators, and consumer groups.
MTN FLAGS DUPLICATION, LOW ADOPTION RISKS
In its submission at the consultation, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc raised concerns about the proposed platform, warning that it could replicate existing solutions without addressing adoption challenges.
According to Anthonia Adaba, manager, telecoms laws and regulations at NCC, the company said a SIM swap and recycling notification system already exists through a collaboration between the NCC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), but adoption by financial institutions has remained low.
Adaba argued that without mandatory participation, the TIRMS platform could face similar limitations and fail to achieve its objectives.
To address this, Adaba recommended the creation of a multi-stakeholder technical working group to define the operational, integration, and cost framework for the platform.
She also called on regulators to work with the CBN to mandate banks and financial institutions to integrate with the system.
’14-DAY NOTIFICATION TIMELINE UNEFFECTIVE’
Adaba also raised concerns over the proposed 14-day pre-churn notification requirement, noting that reliance on alternative phone numbers or email addresses may be ineffective due to incomplete or outdated customer data.
“Relying on email as a notification channel is impractical because email addresses are not mandatory in SIM registration or NIN verification data, and where collected, they are often outdated
or unreliable,” she said.
“As a result, operators lack accurate email records, leading to low delivery success and limited effectiveness of such notifications.
“The Commission should note that pre-churn notifications are only likely effective if the customer has the same network secondary line or a valid email address.”
Adaba recommended that operators prioritise notifications to the primary mobile number and treat alternative channels as a “best-effort” approach.
She added that operators should maintain verifiable records of notification attempts and expand public awareness campaigns on SIM inactivity and deactivation rules.
On consumer protection, the manager said existing rules on reclaiming unused airtime after line deactivation are unclear.
Adaba proposed aligning the process with NCC guidelines to allow subscribers reclaim unused balances within a specified period, subject to proof of ownership.
The NCC said it has noted the concerns and recommendations and will consider them in its final review of the proposed regulations.
