The Association of Mobile Phones and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria (AMPATN) has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to suspend the implementation of mobile phone registration charges for 90 days, warning that the fees could increase business costs and threaten jobs across the country.

The association said it supported efforts to register mobile devices, tackle counterfeit products and prevent stolen phones from being used for criminal activities. However, it expressed concern over the charges reportedly being imposed on imported phones and the lack of clarity surrounding their legal basis and implementation.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano, AMPATN National President, Sani Tasi’u Ibrahim, represented by the Kano State Chairman, Jamilu Bala Gama, said the policy could have serious consequences for phone dealers, repair technicians, distributors and consumers if implemented without adequate consultation.

Ibrahim said traders were reportedly being asked to pay about ₦670 for each small phone and nearly ₦4,000 for larger devices. He questioned the legal authority for the charges, the identity of the company receiving the payments and the process used to determine the fees.

According to the association, additional registration costs could eventually be passed on to consumers through higher retail prices, making affordable and refurbished phones more expensive for people who depend on them for communication, education and business.

AMPATN noted that the mobile phone trade supports an extensive network of economic activities, including retail outlets, repair workshops, distribution businesses and logistics services. It also provides employment opportunities for many young Nigerians.

The association warned that traders operating on narrow profit margins could struggle to absorb additional expenses, potentially forcing some businesses to close and putting workers’ livelihoods at risk.

It stressed that its objection was not to phone registration as a concept, but to the reported charges, the transparency of the process and the need for clear legal and regulatory provisions governing implementation.

AMPATN outlined five key demands, including a 90-day suspension of the charges and phone-blocking measures to allow the government, regulators and industry stakeholders to discuss the policy and its potential economic effects.

The association also called on the NCC to publish the legal provisions authorising the fees and provide a transparent schedule showing the applicable charges and how they are calculated.

It urged the commission to consult phone traders, technicians, distributors and other industry representatives before proceeding with enforcement.

Another demand was for an accessible appeals process for phone owners whose devices might be blocked in error. The association said legitimate users, including people whose phones had undergone repairs, should have a clear means of resolving registration disputes and restoring access to their devices.

AMPATN further insisted that all enforcement measures must comply with the Nigerian Communications Act and the Constitution, arguing that efforts to regulate mobile devices should protect consumers and legitimate businesses.

The association disclosed that it had written to the NCC, submitted petitions to the Senate and House of Representatives, and approached the Kano State Government as part of efforts to resolve the matter through lawful channels.

It appealed to the Federal Government, the National Assembly and other relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that the concerns of traders and consumers were addressed before the policy was implemented.

AMPATN maintained that measures to combat counterfeit and stolen phones should be designed in a way that does not place disproportionate financial pressure on legitimate businesses or restrict access to affordable devices.

The association’s legal officer, Barrister Ibrahim Sule, said AMPATN remained willing to work with the government and relevant agencies to develop a mutually acceptable solution.

He said the objective should be to protect consumers, sustain legitimate businesses and strengthen efforts to prevent phone-related crimes without undermining employment or access to mobile communication.

The NCC and the Federal Government’s official positions on the association’s demands were not included in the statement provided. The reported charges, their legal basis and the status of any planned enforcement should be independently confirmed before publication.