The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to introduce a new cross-sector platform aimed at curbing the rising tide of fraud linked to recycled and misused mobile numbers.
Known as the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), the secure, regulatory-backed platform will serve as a centralized hub for tracking churned, recycled, swapped, and barred MSISDNs (mobile numbers).
These numbers have increasingly become tools for financial fraud, identity theft, and wrongful profiling.
The initiative addresses a key vulnerability in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem: when SIM cards are deactivated and later reassigned to new users, fraudsters sometimes exploit the old number’s history to access banking services, wallets, or other platforms tied to the previous owner.
How the Platform Will WorkUnder the proposed system:Telecom operators will be required to upload details of deactivated or flagged numbers to the TIRMS portal within a short timeframe (typically seven days).
Banks, financial institutions, security agencies, and other authorised entities (including the Central Bank of Nigeria and Securities and Exchange Commission) will gain access to verify phone numbers before granting services.
This will enable real-time or near-real-time checks to flag high-risk numbers and prevent their misuse.
The platform is being developed in collaboration with mobile network operators and is expected to strengthen data sharing on suspicious activities across the telecom and financial sectors.
Additional Safeguards
As part of the broader reforms, the NCC has also proposed that telecom operators must give subscribers a minimum 14-day notice before deactivating a SIM due to inactivity or post-paid churn.
This is intended to give users enough time to reactivate or migrate their services, further reducing the risks associated with sudden number recycling.
Expected Impact
NCC officials believe the TIRMS will significantly reduce SIM-related fraud, boost confidence in digital transactions, and enhance overall cybersecurity in Nigeria’s growing fintech and digital economy.
The platform is part of ongoing efforts to align telecom regulations with the realities of widespread mobile money usage and online banking.
The consultation process for the platform has already begun, with stakeholders in the telecom and financial industries providing input.
This move represents one of the most significant collaborations between telecom regulators and financial authorities in recent years, aimed at making Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure more robust and fraud-resistant.
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