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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a new telecoms identity risk management system (TIRMS) aimed at tackling fraud linked to mobile numbers and strengthening digital security across sectors.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida said the platform will provide a unified framework to manage risks associated with mobile numbers, which have become critical identifiers for financial transactions and digital services.
He noted that vulnerabilities arising from recycled, swapped, or fraudulently used SIM cards have become a major channel for financial crimes and identity theft, necessitating a coordinated response.
“The fraudulent use of recycled and swapped numbers has become a significant vector for financial fraud. This platform will provide a secure, regulatory-backed system to address such risks,” Maida said.
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The system will allow service providers, including banks and telecom operators, to verify mobile numbers flagged for suspicious activities before granting access to services, while also improving accountability and trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The commission is also proposing new regulations to support the initiative, including a requirement for telecom operators to notify subscribers at least 14 days before deactivating their lines and to submit details of churned numbers to the platform within seven days.
However, MTN Nigeria has raised concerns that the platform could duplicate existing systems and face low adoption if participation is not made mandatory, urging regulators to strengthen collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and other stakeholders to ensure effectiveness.
