The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital backbone, urging stronger national collaboration to protect critical telecommunications infrastructure.
This call was made by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, during a keynote address delivered on his behalf at the 2nd edition of the Strategic Stakeholders Meeting organized by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), held in Abuja.
Speaking through Mrs. Chioma Ibe, Assistant Director in the Commission’s Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department, Dr. Maida described the current moment as pivotal in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
He noted that as the nation becomes increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure to power key sectors such as finance, healthcare, governance, education, and agriculture, the risks and vulnerabilities to that infrastructure continue to grow.
Addressing the theme of the summit, “Building Resilience in Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure: The Executive Order and Beyond,” the NCC chief emphasized the critical importance of the Presidential Executive Order signed in June 2024, which officially designates telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
This designation, he said, marks a major milestone in recognizing the telecom sector’s essential role in national development and security.
Dr. Maida pointed out that with over 171 million mobile subscribers and a teledensity of 79.22% as of June 2025, the telecom industry contributes more than 14.4% to Nigeria’s GDP. Despite this, it remains under threat from persistent challenges such as fibre cuts, vandalism, cyberattacks, and theft.
These disruptions, he warned, can have far-reaching consequences—from stalled emergency responses to compromised financial systems and interrupted government services.
To operationalize the Executive Order, the NCC has embarked on a series of strategic actions. These include mapping critical telecom assets nationwide, developing a protection plan in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, and launching a public awareness campaign to educate citizens on the importance of protecting telecom infrastructure.
The Commission is also working closely with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, as well as the Federal Ministry of Works, to ensure that fibre-optic cables are not damaged during road construction projects.
Engagement with sub-national governments has become a key focus as well. Dr. Maida acknowledged that inconsistent policies, high taxation, and local-level disruptions often impede telecom rollout.
However, the NCC is actively working with state governments to harmonize regulations and secure right-of-way for network expansion. Through regulatory mediation, the Commission has already resolved several disputes, leading to the resumption of stalled infrastructure projects in states like Osun and Kogi.
The speech also addressed growing concerns within the industry about leadership and coordination under the CNII framework. Dr. Maida clarified that while the NCC is statutorily mandated to lead the initiative, successful implementation will require shared responsibility across all sectors.
He stressed that collaboration not competition must guide stakeholder engagement, and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with operators, lawmakers, security agencies, and the private sector to drive cohesive action.
Looking ahead, Dr. Maida called for greater public awareness, stronger inter-agency coordination, streamlined infrastructure approval processes, and stricter enforcement to deter attacks on telecom assets. He urged industry players, especially those under ATCON, to remain actively involved in shaping the CNII framework, bringing their expertise and innovation to bear on national efforts.
In his closing remarks, the NCC boss issued a strong call to action. He challenged stakeholders to move beyond compliance and embrace a collective vision for a secure and inclusive digital Nigeria. The resilience of the country’s digital infrastructure, he said, cannot be left to chance. It must be deliberately built, vigilantly protected, and continuously improved.
“The Presidential Order gives us the platform,” he stated. “But it is through collaboration, investment, and shared commitment that we will achieve the secure and connected future we all envision.”
