New Telecom Identity Risk Management System will allow CBN, SEC, NIMC and security agencies to monitor churned numbers and curb fraud tied to SIM reassignment….
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to roll out a new cross-sector technology platform aimed at tackling fraud and security risks linked to recycled phone numbers.
Details of the initiative are contained in an internal document reviewed on Friday, which outlines plans for a portal known as the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS). The platform is expected to go live before the end of March.
At the heart of the proposal is a long-standing problem in Nigeria’s telecom ecosystem: SIM recycling. When inactive numbers are reassigned to new subscribers, the new owners sometimes inherit more than just a phone line including text messages meant for previous users, financial alerts, and, in some cases, scrutiny over alleged offences committed by former holders of the number.
According to a source familiar with the project, the system has been under development for more than a year.
The NCC document notes that as its churn policy increasingly intersects with financial services, identity systems and other regulated sectors, the risks associated with phone number reassignment have grown more complex. These challenges, the commission said, raise broader concerns about security and the integrity of phone number ownership.
To address this, TIRMS will function as a shared data platform that collects and distributes information on churned (recycled) mobile numbers, as well as numbers reported for fraudulent activities by regulators in other sectors.
“The goal is to prevent the misuse of numbers when they change hands,” the document states, adding that the information will be made available to relevant stakeholders across industries.
However, the commission acknowledges that integrating such a system will require extensive collaboration, especially because know-your-customer (KYC) requirements differ across sectors and must be aligned carefully.
CBN, SEC and Security Agencies to Gain Access
The platform, which has already been built and tested alongside telecom operators, will be hosted by the NCC but accessible to major regulatory and security institutions.
These include the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), pension regulators, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and security agencies.
An agreement between the NCC and the CBN is currently being finalised to enable full operationalisation once the portal launches. Development of the platform began in March 2024, with deployment contingent on the conclusion of consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Regulatory Amendments Underway
To formally anchor the system within existing rules, the NCC has initiated amendments to two key regulatory frameworks: the Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations 2024 and the Registration of Communications Subscribers Regulations 2022.
A public consultation on proposed changes to the business rules is ongoing and is expected to conclude before the end of March 2026.
Once finalised, the revised rules will introduce mandatory notifications to subscribers whose numbers are scheduled for churn. Line owners will be alerted through alternative contact channels within a specified timeframe before disconnection.
The amendments will also:
- Establish a formal framework for warehousing churned numbers within TIRMS
- Enable controlled cross-sector access to recycled number data
- Create structured procedures for blocking numbers linked to fraudulent activity
In addition, subscribers who wish to keep unused numbers will be able to rely on the existing “line parking” provision under the QoS business rules. This option allows users to retain a dormant line for up to one year at a minimal cost, preventing it from being classified as churned and reassigned.
If implemented as outlined, TIRMS could mark a significant shift in how Nigeria manages digital identity risks tied to mobile numbers closing loopholes that fraudsters exploit while reducing the chances of innocent subscribers inheriting someone else’s digital baggage.
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