The Nigerian telecoms regulator has issued a 14-day deadline to unapproved GSM booster users to switch them off or risk sanctions.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says in a pre-enforcement notice issued Tuesday that it remains a crime to sell or use such equipment that have not received type-approval by the telecoms regulator.
Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, says the general public, particularly banks and other financial institutions, government agencies, telecommunications service providers, private/public companies, and owners/occupiers of residential premises are being reminded “that the sale, installation and usage of GSM boosters is illegal.”

The regulator “warns the general public that it is a criminal offence to sell, install or use any equipment which may hinder network operations, or which has not been type-approved by the Commission.”
– Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
The regulator “warns the general public that it is a criminal offence to sell, install or use any equipment which may hinder network operations, or which has not been type-approved by the Commission.”
Adinde says that, “such acts may lead to monetary sanction and/or imprisonment, or both (fine and imprisonment) as well as the confiscation of any equipment used in the illegal enhancement of network coverage.”
NCC says it “will continue to deepen its collaborative efforts with telecoms service providers to facilitate the provision of ubiquitous telecoms infrastructure necessary to guarantee good quality of service across the nation.”
The telecoms regulator says it issued the 14-day pre-enforcement notice to those involved in the sale, installation and use of unauthorised GSM blockers across Nigeria “to forthwith desist from such act.”
Adinde says that NCC “shall without further recourse and upon expiration of the deadline, commence appropriate enforcement action including, but not limited to prosecution, fine and confiscation of equipment used.”