The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled plans to block mobile numbers linked to fraudulent activities across the country, aiming to strengthen digital security and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s telecom sector. The announcement came during a stakeholders’ forum on the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) platform in Abuja.
Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida, represented by Executive Commissioner Rimini Makama, emphasized that the move targets the growing misuse of mobile numbers that are churned, recycled, swapped, or improperly registered—practices that increasingly fuel financial fraud and identity theft. He noted that the initiative seeks to protect subscribers and enhance transparency in mobile number management.
The NCC is introducing the TIRMS platform, a cross-sector regulatory system enabling telecommunications, financial services, and other critical sectors to verify mobile numbers flagged for suspicious or criminal activity before granting access to services. Maida explained that the platform will ensure tighter controls over mobile number usage and bolster regulatory oversight across industries.
As part of the initiative, the Commission is proposing amendments to existing Quality of Service (QoS) and subscriber registration regulations. These changes will require operators to notify subscribers 14 days before any line churn, submit churned number details to TIRMS within seven days, and block fraudulently registered or used mobile numbers. The reforms aim to protect users, clarify regulatory rules, and support the platform’s objectives.
NCC’s Director of Cybersecurity and Internet Governance, Olatokunbo Oyeleye, highlighted the importance of digital trust, calling it the foundation of a modern economy. “Without it, nothing scales; with it, everything accelerates,” he said, stressing that the initiative will deepen Nigeria’s digital economy, encourage fair competition, and reinforce public confidence in telecommunications services.
source: The Sun