Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Communications Commission, the telecommunications regulator of Africa’s most populous country, has announced plans to introduce a Telecoms Identity Risk Management System designed to reduce fraud linked to mobile phone numbers and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Okay News reports that the announcement was made in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, during a stakeholders’ consultative forum on the proposed platform and accompanying regulatory changes. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida, spoke through the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama.
Maida explained that the Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number, commonly referred to as a SIM or mobile phone number, has become central to financial transactions, digital identity verification, and access to essential services across sectors. He warned that the same widespread use has created vulnerabilities that criminals are exploiting.
He said, “The Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number commonly known as the SIM or mobile phone number has evolved into a critical identifier underpinning financial transactions, digital authentication, and access to essential services across all sectors of our economy.
“This evolution, however, has created new and challenging vulnerabilities. The fraudulent use of churned, recycled, swapped, and barred MISISDN’s has become a significant vector for financial fraud and identity theft, eroding public trust in our digital platforms and undermining the identity of systems we have worked hard to build.
“It is in direct response to these challenges that the Commission has initiated the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System Platform.”
According to the commission, the platform will allow service providers to check mobile numbers flagged for suspicious activities before granting access to services. Authorities expect the measure to reduce exposure to fraud and improve accountability across digital services.
The system is also designed to enhance coordination among regulators, financial institutions, and security agencies, with the aim of building a more resilient digital ecosystem.
To support the rollout, the Nigerian Communications Commission has proposed amendments to its Quality of Service Business Rules and the Registration of Communications Subscribers framework. The proposed changes require telecommunications operators to notify subscribers at least 14 days before recycling inactive lines and to upload details of churned numbers to the platform within seven days.
The amendments also introduce stricter provisions for blocking fraudulently registered or misused SIM cards to improve transparency and protect consumers.
Maida said the initiative reflects the commission’s commitment to collaboration and a whole of government approach to addressing digital risks. He urged stakeholders to contribute actively to shaping the framework.
Also speaking at the forum, the Director of Cybersecurity and Internet Governance at the Nigerian Communications Commission, Olatokunbo Oyeleye, stressed the importance of trust in the digital economy.
“As rightly noted, digital trust is the operating licence of modern economy. Without it, nothing scales and with it everything accelerates. For our sector, this trust must be embedded across the entire value chain,” she said.
The regulator had earlier proposed that telecom operators must give subscribers a minimum of 14 days’ notice before deactivating SIM cards due to inactivity. The proposal was contained in a consultation paper titled Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform, dated February 2026 and published on the commission’s website.
Under the proposal, operators must notify affected subscribers through an alternative line or email before a number is churned, with the notice issued at least 14 days before the final recycling date.
