NCC Moves to Strengthen Digital Trust with New Anti-SIM Fraud Platform

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled plans to introduce a new regulatory platform—Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS)—aimed at tackling rising cases of SIM-related fraud and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The announcement was made by the Commission’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Aminu Maida, during a stakeholder forum held in Abuja.

According to the NCC, the Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN)—commonly known as a mobile number—has evolved into a critical digital identifier, powering financial transactions, authentication systems, and access to essential services.

However, this central role has also exposed significant vulnerabilities.

“The fraudulent use of churned, recycled, swapped and barred MSISDNs has become a significant vector for financial fraud and identity theft,” Maida stated.

He warned that such activities are eroding public trust in digital platforms and weakening identity systems across sectors.

What TIRMS Will Do

The proposed TIRMS platform is a secure, regulatory-backed infrastructure designed to manage and mitigate risks associated with mobile number usage across Nigeria’s telecom and financial ecosystem.

Key capabilities include:

Real-time verification of mobile numbers linked to suspicious, dormant, or fraudulent activities
Improved accountability tied to SIM ownership and usage
Pre-transaction risk checks to prevent fraud before access is granted
Cross-sector validation, enabling banks, fintechs, and service providers to confirm number integrity

The system will allow institutions to proactively validate customer mobile numbers before completing transactions or granting access to services.

Regulatory Backing and New Rules

To support the rollout, the NCC is proposing amendments to existing frameworks, including:

Quality of Service Business Rules
Registration of Communications Subscribers Regulations

Under the new framework:

Telecom operators must notify subscribers at least 14 days before a line is churned
Churned numbers must be reported to TIRMS within seven days
Fraudulently registered or misused numbers can be flagged and blocked system-wide
Digital Trust at the Core

Also speaking at the forum, the NCC’s Director of Cybersecurity and Internet Governance, Olatokunbo Oyeleye, emphasised the central role of trust:

“Digital trust is the operating licence of the modern economy. Without it, nothing scales, and with it, everything accelerates.”

She noted that TIRMS will enhance identity assurance, inter-agency coordination, and fraud prevention, particularly around recycled or compromised SIMs.

Rising Fraud Pressure Across the Ecosystem

The initiative comes amid growing concerns over SIM-related fraud in Nigeria’s financial system.

Data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) shows that 67,518 digital payment fraud cases were recorded in 2025, with total losses reaching ₦25.85 billion—underscoring persistent vulnerabilities.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria has flagged:

SIM-swap fraud
Insider compromise
Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams

as emerging threats putting increasing pressure on Nigeria’s digital payments infrastructure.

With mobile numbers now serving as a gateway to banking, fintech, and government services, regulators are tightening controls around SIM lifecycle management and identity verification.

The introduction of TIRMS signals a broader shift toward proactive, system-wide fraud prevention, as Nigeria moves to secure its rapidly expanding digital economy.