By The Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), has challenged telecoms stakeholders to invest, collaborate, and protect telecoms infrastructure in order to build a digital future that is resilient, inclusive, and unstoppable for Nigeria’s digital economy.
According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, the stakeholders must participate actively in shaping a Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) framework that reflects Nigeria’s aspirations.
Maida who spoke at the at the second edition of the Strategic Stakeholders meeting of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), noted that the digital transformation of Nigeria has accelerated over the past decade.
Addressing the theme: “Building Resilience in Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure: The Executive Order and Beyond”, Maida who was represented by the Assistant Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department of the NCC, Mrs Chioma Ibe, said “disruption in our telecommunications network can stall emergency services, halt financial transactions, disrupt businesses, and affect national security. Thus, resilience is not a luxury-it is a national imperative.”
He disclosed that this transformation brings with it a host of vulnerabilities: cyber-attacks, physical sabotage, climate-related disasters, and infrastructural duplication.
The NCC boss who took time to address the Presidential Order of June 2024, which designates telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) stated that the CNII encompasses the interconnected systems and networks-telecommunications, data centers, and digital platforms-that power Nigeria’s economy, security, public health, and governance.
Reflecting on the sector challenges, he stated that Nigeria Cybersecurity Outlook Report by Deloitte highlighted a surge in cyberthreats in 2024, from ransomware to insider attacks adding that physical disruptions, such as vandalism and theft, are equally alarming, with service providers reporting an average of 30 to 43 fibre cuts daily.
Maida revealed that the NCC is launching a nationwide initiative to educate communities and stakeholders on their shared responsibility to protect CNII.
According to him, it would be delivered through radio jingles, social media, and other multimedia channels, adding that these campaigns aim to educate the public on how disruptions-whether due to vandalism, construction accidents, or negligence-directly affect the quality of service, emergency communications, and everyday digital services relied upon by millions of Nigerians.
He however noted that while collaboration and awareness remain primary tools, enforcement actions are not off the table saying that the NCC views enforcement as a measure of last resort-one to be deployed only when all engagement and mediation avenues have been exhausted.
