Call Masking: NCC Declares Practice Economic Sabotage, Raises Security Alarm

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has raised the alarm over the resurgence of call masking in the country, warning that the practice constitutes economic sabotage and poses serious risks to the security and integrity of Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem.

The Commission said call masking, which involves concealing or manipulating the true identity or originating number of a telephone call, could undermine legitimate telecommunications operations, distort industry revenues and create vulnerabilities that could be exploited for criminal activities.

The warning was contained in a communiqué issued after the 110th meeting of the NCC Board and signed by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha.

The telecoms regulator described the resurgence of call masking as a serious regulatory concern, stressing that the practice was unacceptable and capable of adversely affecting the national economy.

According to the NCC, “call masking undermines legitimate telecommunications operations, distorts industry revenues and constitutes an act of economic sabotage capable of adversely impacting the national economy.”

The Commission said it would not relent in its efforts to curb the practice, adding that it would work with security and law-enforcement agencies as well as other stakeholders in the telecommunications industry to identify and eliminate call-masking activities.

“The Commission will collaborate with relevant security and law-enforcement agencies, as well as industry stakeholders, to identify, prevent and eliminate call masking activities,” it stated.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the security of Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, with mobile networks increasingly serving as gateways to financial services, digital platforms and other critical economic activities.

The NCC said the fight against call masking was therefore not limited to protecting telecom operators’ revenues, but also formed part of broader efforts to safeguard the integrity and security of communications infrastructure on which millions of Nigerians depend.

The Commission also disclosed that it was strengthening its regulatory technology infrastructure to improve compliance and security across the sector.

It said the Device Management System (DMS) had gone live, while the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), alongside its associated business rules, is scheduled to go live in October 2026.

The NCC said the initiatives would strengthen the management of telecommunications identities and devices and complement existing efforts to protect the sector from abuse and other forms of criminal exploitation.

The regulator reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s telecommunications sector remains secure, resilient and capable of supporting the country’s growing digital economy.