The Association of Mobile Phones and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria (AMPATN) has urged the Nigerian Government to suspend the implementation of mobile phone registration fees for 90 days, warning that the policy could increase phone prices, threaten businesses and affect millions of livelihoods across the country.
The association said it supports efforts to eliminate counterfeit mobile phones, track stolen devices and prevent criminals from using unregistered phones but insisted that the implementation process must be transparent, lawful and inclusive of industry stakeholders.
The National President of AMPATN, Sani Tasi’u Ibrahim, made the position known at a press conference held in Kano, North West Nigeria.
Represented by the Kano State Chairman of the association, Jamilu Bala Gama, the association said traders are being required to pay approximately 670 naira for each small phone and nearly 4,000 naira for larger devices imported into the country.
AMPATN questioned the legal basis for the charges, the identity of the private company reportedly receiving the payments and the absence of publicly available information explaining the fee structure.
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The National President argued that the additional charges could place further pressure on phone importers, distributors and retailers, with the cost potentially passed on to consumers already struggling with economic challenges.
Ibrahim noted that the implications could be particularly significant for low-income Nigerians, students and small business owners who depend on affordable mobile phones for communication, education and commercial activities.
AMPATN described the mobile phone trade as a major source of employment and economic activity, supporting businesses ranging from importation and distribution to retail sales, repairs, transportation and other related services across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The association said traders had invested billions of naira in shops, warehouses, vehicles and supply chains, while the sector provides employment opportunities for millions of young Nigerians, including apprentices, technicians, sales assistants and other informal-sector workers.
The National President AMPATN warned that poorly coordinated implementation of the policy could place small-scale operators under additional financial pressure, potentially leading to business closures, reduced employment opportunities and disruptions to established apprenticeship systems.
Ibrahim, however, emphasised that it was not calling for the abandonment of phone registration but seeking a review of the implementation process to ensure that the fight against counterfeit and stolen devices does not undermine legitimate businesses.
To address its concerns, AMPATN presented five demands to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
These include a 90-day suspension of the fees and phone-blocking measures to allow consultations, publication of the legal provisions authorising the charges and a detailed fee schedule, engagement with traders and other stakeholders before implementation, establishment of an effective appeal mechanism for consumers whose devices are wrongly blocked and strict compliance with existing laws.
The association specifically urged the NCC to ensure that the policy complies with the Nigerian Communications Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It also called for a clear process through which phone owners can challenge the blocking of their devices, particularly where the action results from errors or legitimate repair activities.
AMPATN disclosed that it had already written to the NCC, submitted petitions to the Senate and House of Representatives, and approached the Kano State Government in an effort to resolve the matter through established legal and institutional channels.
The association appealed to the Federal Government, the National Assembly and relevant regulatory authorities to initiate dialogue with industry operators and develop a framework that balances consumer protection, crime prevention, regulatory compliance and the sustainability of businesses.
Also, the legal officer of the Association, Barrister Ibrahim Sule SQ, maintained that an effective phone registration system should help curb the circulation of counterfeit and stolen devices without imposing excessive costs on legitimate traders or restricting access to affordable communication technology.
He said AMPATN is ready to collaborate with the government and relevant agencies to achieve the objectives of phone registration while protecting jobs, supporting small businesses and safeguarding the interests of mobile phone users nationwide.
