NCC upholds commitment to protect telecom infrastructure as national assets

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to the protection of telecoms infrastructure, recognised as a Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). This comes amid the recent suspension of planned strikes by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA).

In a statement seen by Technext and signed by the NCC’s Head of Public Affairs, Nnena Ukoha, the commission called for stronger public cooperation in safeguarding the nation’s telecoms infrastructure, warning that service disruptions could undermine the economy and national security. 

Recall that an oil supply blockage, owing to industrial action, had been threatening to disrupt Nigeria’s data and voice service. The full implementation of the action would have led to service disruption, with millions of Nigerian subscribers prevented from performing essential services on their mobile network lines.

According to the statement, the NCC, together with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), under the leadership of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, held discussions with NOGASA’s leadership and shed light on the dangers of service disruptions on national security and the Nigerian economy. 

While reacting to the development, the NSA stressed that telecoms Infrastructure remains a significant driver of everyday connectivity and the strength of a digital economy. 

“Any disruption, whether through vandalism, accidental damage during construction work, theft of equipment, denial of access to maintenance teams, or interruptions in the supply of essential operational materials, has far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability, and national security,” he said. 

All forms of activities, such as access denial, fibre cuts, and infrastructural vandalism, pose direct implications for millions of Nigerians and the stability of the digital economy.  It also undermines Nigeria’s broadband expansion targets and digital inclusion goals, especially in remote areas. 

On vandalism, the NCC recently raised an alarm that Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is facing an alarming surge in sabotage, with an average of 1,744 attacks recorded weekly across the country.

This trend includes approximately 1,100 fibre cuts, 545 incidents of access denial, and 99 cases of theft, posing a significant threat to service quality, network expansion, and national security. 

The country’s telecom industry continues to face a series of threats which potentially hinder its ability to digitally connect millions of Nigerians. 

Also Read: FG appoints Idris Olorunnimbe as NCC chairman, constitutes USPF board.

NCC calls for public support

NCC, in its move to protect telecoms infrastructure, appealed to Nigerians to uphold its efforts in protecting national assets. It noted that it would, on its own part, continue to coordinate with security agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public to ensure that Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure remains protected at all times. 

“We call on all Nigerians to regard telecom infrastructure as a shared national asset, one that underpins our ability to connect with loved ones, transact businesses, access healthcare, pursue education, and participate in the global digital economy,” the commission said in the statement.

While extending its commitment to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order on CNII, the commission’s EVC, Dr. Aminu Maida, reiterated that NCC will maintain its status quo of safeguarding national assets and collaborate with relevant security agencies. 

“We will continue to enforce strict compliance by our licensees with technical standards for the deployment and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, while working closely with relevant stakeholders to strengthen awareness and cooperation on their protection,” he said.

Last September, the Federal Government of Nigeria took a significant step towards protecting the nation’s information security framework with the enactment of the Designation and Protection of CNII Order (the “Order”), 2024, enacted towards the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended). 

In light of the Nigerian economy’s growth process, the reliability and security of critical infrastructure, such as power grids, financial networks, and healthcare systems, are increasingly central to national stability. The CNII simply aims to ensure the security and stability of indispensable functions of the Nigerian economy.