NCC Unveils New Platform to Combat SIM Fraud, Boost Digital Trust

 NCC Unveils New Platform to Combat SIM Fraud, Boost Digital Trust

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to deploy a new regulatory platform, the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), as part of efforts to curb SIM-related fraud and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Aminu Maida, disclosed this at a stakeholder forum in Abuja, noting that the increasing reliance on mobile numbers as digital identifiers has heightened the risks associated with their misuse.

Maida explained that the Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN), commonly known as a mobile number, has become central to financial transactions, authentication processes, and access to critical services. However, he warned that this growing importance has also made it a target for fraudsters.

He said the fraudulent exploitation of recycled, swapped, barred, and churned mobile numbers has emerged as a major channel for financial crimes and identity theft, undermining public trust in digital systems.

Strengthening Safeguards Across Sectors

According to the NCC, the proposed TIRMS platform will serve as a secure, regulatory-backed infrastructure designed to detect and mitigate risks linked to mobile number usage across telecommunications, banking, and other service sectors.

The system is expected to enable real-time verification of mobile numbers associated with suspicious or fraudulent activities, enhance accountability in SIM ownership, and support pre-transaction risk checks. It will also facilitate cross-sector validation, allowing financial institutions, fintech companies, and service providers to confirm the integrity of mobile numbers before granting access to services.

New Regulatory Measures

To support the rollout of TIRMS, the Commission is proposing amendments to key regulatory frameworks, including the Quality of Service Business Rules and the Registration of Communications Subscribers Regulations.

Under the proposed rules, telecom operators will be required to notify subscribers at least 14 days before deactivating or reassigning a line. In addition, churned numbers must be reported to the TIRMS platform within seven days, while fraudulently registered or misused SIMs may be flagged and blocked across the network.

Emphasis on Digital Trust

Also speaking, the NCC’s Director of Cybersecurity and Internet Governance, Olatokunbo Oyeleye, stressed that trust remains fundamental to the growth of the digital economy.

She noted that the new platform would enhance identity assurance, improve coordination among regulatory and security agencies, and significantly reduce fraud risks associated with compromised or recycled SIM cards.

Rising Fraud Concerns

The initiative comes against the backdrop of increasing fraud cases within Nigeria’s financial system. Data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System indicates that 67,518 digital payment fraud incidents were recorded in 2025, resulting in losses estimated at ₦25.85 billion.

Regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, have also identified SIM-swap fraud, insider threats, and Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams as growing risks to the stability of the country’s digital payments infrastructure.

With mobile numbers now serving as gateways to banking, fintech platforms, and government services, the NCC’s TIRMS initiative signals a shift toward proactive and coordinated fraud prevention measures aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.