Public affairs commentator, Joseph Mugu, has raised concerns over the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) implementation of its Device Management System (DMS), warning that the policy could increase the cost of mobile phones and place additional financial pressure on consumers.
The NCC recently began implementing the DMS, which requires SIM-enabled devices to be registered using their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.
Under the framework, devices that are not duly registered may be prevented from accessing Nigerian mobile networks.
But Mugu, in a statement on Wednesday, questioned whether the initiative would improve the lives of Nigerians or introduce another layer of registration, fees and bureaucracy.
He expressed concern that Nigerians who have legitimately purchased phones costing hundreds of thousands or millions of naira could ultimately depend on a regulatory database to determine whether their privately owned devices can connect to local networks.
According to him, the financial burden of the policy could eventually be transferred to consumers.
“Phone traders are already warning that proposed registration charges on imported devices will ultimately be transferred to buyers because manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers are unlikely to absorb them,” he said.
Mugu said Nigerians were already facing high living costs, including rising prices of mobile phones, data, electricity and transportation, while businesses were contending with increasing operating expenses.
He also raised concerns about the possible impact of the DMS on businesses operating within Nigeria’s large mobile-phone ecosystem.
These, he noted, include importers, wholesalers, retailers, market traders, phone technicians, repair shops, accessory sellers, logistics companies and online vendors.
He added that young Nigerians who buy and resell fairly used phones could also be affected by the new system.
“The phone dealers themselves are asking for more time and warning about the effect of the new costs on businesses, jobs and consumers,” Mugu said.
He added that importers and original equipment manufacturers had also expressed concerns about implementation costs and the challenges of registering large inventories before enforcement.
Mugu further cited the NCC’s decision to extend the onboarding deadline for existing stock to October 6, 2026, following complaints from stakeholders that the initial timeline was insufficient.
He said the extension had raised questions about how millions of legitimate devices already in circulation would be handled under the system.
The commentator also questioned how the policy would affect Nigerians who purchased phones abroad for personal use, consumers buying second-hand devices and owners whose legitimate IMEI numbers might be wrongly flagged.
“Who bears the loss when the government database makes a mistake?” he asked.
Mugu also questioned how quickly consumers would be able to challenge an erroneous decision and why an innocent purchaser should lose access to a device because of an alleged failure by an importer, dealer or another party in the supply chain.
While acknowledging that tackling stolen phones, counterfeit devices and illegal importation were legitimate regulatory objectives, he argued that enforcement should not leave legitimate consumers to bear the consequences of problems elsewhere in the supply chain.
“You do not solve smuggling by creating hardship for legitimate consumers,” he said.
“You do not protect Nigerians by making technology less affordable.
“You do not promote the digital economy while creating new barriers to the devices Nigerians need to participate in that economy.”
Mugu called for stronger consumer protections, transparent regulations and a simple appeal process before the system is used to restrict access to privately purchased devices.
The NCC has said it is working with the Nigeria Customs Service, original equipment manufacturers, importers and market associations, describing the DMS as a mechanism for identifying illegally imported and non-compliant devices.
Mugu said this made transparency about the operation of the system particularly important.
He urged the authorities to provide Nigerians with clear information about the data being checked, what constitutes a non-compliant device, applicable fees, responsibility for registration and protections available to consumers who legitimately purchased their devices.
“Does digital policy make technology more accessible, businesses more productive and life easier for Nigerians or does it create another layer of cost and uncertainty for people already struggling?” he asked.
Mugu urged the government to consider the potential effects of the policy on businesses, employment and consumers before full enforcement.
“Before one phone is blocked, Nigerians deserve full answers.
“Before one trader loses his stock, Nigerians deserve full answers.
“Before another charge is added to the price of a phone, Nigerians deserve full answers,” he said.
He added that technology regulation should protect Nigerians rather than become another burden for citizens and businesses to contend with.
