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NCC Boss Urges Collective Action To Protect Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has called for united efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s telecommunications assets, describing them as critical to national security, economic growth, and digital transformation.

Speaking at the 2nd Strategic Stakeholders Meeting of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Abuja, Dr. Maida, represented by the Assistant Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department of the NCC, highlighted the theme, “Building Resilience in Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure: The Executive Order and Beyond”, stressing that the Presidential Order of June 2024—which designates telecommunications facilities as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII)—was a “landmark recognition” of the sector’s role in the country’s stability and digital sovereignty.

He noted that Nigeria’s 171 million mobile subscribers and 79.22% teledensity make telecoms the backbone of digital inclusion, contributing over 14.4% to GDP as of Q4 2024. However, he warned of mounting threats, including cyberattacks, vandalism, and an average of 30–43 fibre cuts daily, which undermine service reliability and public trust.

The NCC, he said, has begun nationwide infrastructure mapping, developed a CNII Protection Plan in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser, launched public awareness campaigns, and established mechanisms to protect fibre cables during road works. The Commission is also engaging state governments to harmonise policies, mediate disputes, and reduce right-of-way bottlenecks.

Dr. Maida stressed that CNII protection demands collaboration between regulators, operators, security agencies, the judiciary, and communities. He urged telecom operators to invest in resilient infrastructure, policymakers to streamline regulations, and the public to treat telecom assets as shared national property.

“Our goal is not just compliance but building a secure, inclusive, and globally competitive digital ecosystem,” he said, outlining five strategic priorities: public awareness, enhanced stakeholder collaboration, improved information sharing, streamlined infrastructure permitting, and stronger enforcement against vandals.

The NCC chief concluded with a call to action, urging all stakeholders to “invest, collaborate, and protect” Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, warning that without resilience, the nation’s aspirations for a connected and prosperous future are at risk.

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