By Jennete Ugo Anya
T
he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) designed to curb fraud linked to mobile numbers and strengthen digital security across sectors.
Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ consultative forum in Abuja, noting that the platform will provide a unified, cross-sector framework for managing risks associated with mobile numbers, also known as MSISDNs.
He explained that while phone numbers have become critical identifiers for financial transactions, digital authentication and access to services, they are increasingly being exploited through Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) recycling and swaps.
“The fraudulent use of churned, recycled, swapped, and barred MSISDNs has become a significant vector for financial fraud and identity theft,” Maida said.
“To address this, the commission has initiated the TIRMS platform to provide a secure, regulatory-backed, cross-sectoral system for managing risks relating to the integrity and utilisation of mobile numbers.”
According to him, the platform will enable banks, telecom operators and other service providers to verify numbers flagged for suspicious or fraudulent activity before granting access, while also improving accountability and trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Maida added that the NCC is proposing regulatory amendments to support the system, 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 TIRMS within seven days. A new framework to block fraudulently registered SIM cards is also being introduced.
He said the initiative reflects deeper collaboration between telecom operators, financial regulators, security agencies and consumer groups.
However, concerns were raised by MTN Nigeria Communications Plc during the consultation. According to Anthonia Adaba, Manager, Telecoms Laws and Regulations at NCC, the company noted that a SIM swap and recycling notification system already exists through collaboration between the NCC, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) but adoption by financial institutions has remained low.
Adaba warned that without mandatory participation, TIRMS could face similar limitations.
She recommended the establishment of a multi-stakeholder technical working group to define operational, integration and cost frameworks, and urged regulators to work with the CBN to mandate banks to integrate with the platform.
She also raised concerns about the proposed 14-day pre-churn notification rule.
“Relying on email as a notification channel is impractical because email addresses are not mandatory in SIM registration or National Identification Number (NIN) verification data, and where collected, they are often outdated or unreliable,” she said.
“As a result, operators lack accurate email records, leading to low delivery success and limited effectiveness of such notifications.
“The Commission should note that pre-churn notifications are only likely effective if the customer has the same network secondary line or a valid email address.”
Adaba advised that operators prioritise notifications via primary mobile numbers, treat other channels as a “best-effort” approach, and maintain verifiable records of notification attempts, alongside stronger public awareness on SIM deactivation rules.
On consumer protection, she noted that existing rules on reclaiming unused airtime after line deactivation remain unclear and proposed alignment with NCC guidelines to allow subscribers reclaim balances within a defined period, subject to proof of ownership.
The NCC said it has taken note of the submissions and will consider all recommendations in its final review of the proposed regulations.
