NCC Launches New Platform to Curb SIM Fraud and Regulate Number Recycling
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a new platform aimed at regulating the reassignment of dormant mobile phone numbers and reducing fraud linked to recycled SIMs. The Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) was introduced during a stakeholders’ meeting with telecom operators on Thursday.
According to NCC Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida, the move is necessary because mobile numbers are now widely used for financial transactions, digital verification, and access to essential services. This has created vulnerabilities that fraudsters exploit through recycled or swapped SIM cards.
“Mobile numbers are no longer just identifiers for calls; they have become critical to the integrity of financial and digital services,” Maida said. “TIRMS provides a unified platform for managing risks associated with mobile number usage, strengthening public trust in digital services.”
Under proposed regulations, telecom operators must notify affected subscribers via email or alternative phone numbers at least 14 days before reassigning a number. Operators are also required to submit details of all churned numbers to TIRMS within seven days. Additional guidelines will provide for the blocking of fraudulently registered numbers.
TIRMS, described by NCC officials as a secure, cross-sectoral platform, allows regulators and licensed entities to verify the status of all registered mobile numbers in real time. The system is designed to strengthen identity integrity, enhance fraud prevention, and improve the “know your customer” (KYC) process across sectors.
Senior Manager for Cyber Security and Internet Governance, Emaiban Echono, said the platform would benefit financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement. “For the financial industry, you have stronger risk signals and faster case resolution. For regulators, it ensures transparency and cross-sector identity assurance. For law enforcement, it supports investigations,” she said.
Telecom operators routinely recycle dormant numbers, sometimes causing previous owners to lose access to services linked to their Bank Verification Number (BVN) and national ID cards. The NCC says TIRMS will reduce these risks while promoting safer digital communications in Nigeria.
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