The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has raised concerns over the resurgence of call masking in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, warning that the practice threatens the integrity of the sector and can distort legitimate industry revenues.
Call masking occurs when an international telephone call is made to appear on the recipient’s device as though it originated from a local Nigerian number.
The practice can undermine legitimate international call-termination arrangements and prevent appropriate charges from being applied to international traffic.
The NCC’s governing board raised the issue during its 110th meeting on September 9, 2026.
According to the commission’s communique, the board expressed concern about the implications of renewed call-masking activities for the integrity, security and orderly development of Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem.
The NCC reiterated its zero-tolerance position and described call masking as an unacceptable regulatory practice.
The commission said the activity can undermine legitimate telecommunications operations and distort industry revenues, adding that it could adversely affect the wider economy.
The NCC said it would work with security and law-enforcement agencies as well as industry stakeholders to identify, prevent and eliminate call-masking activities.
The commission’s warning comes as Nigeria continues to expand its digital economy and telecommunications infrastructure, making the integrity of communications networks increasingly important to financial services, businesses and consumers.
The regulator also stressed the importance of transparency, consumer protection, fair competition and network resilience as it tackles emerging risks within the telecommunications ecosystem.
The renewed focus on call masking signals a tougher regulatory approach to practices that authorities believe could undermine the formal telecommunications market.