The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to fully implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), which classifies telecommunications facilities as critical national assets requiring optimal protection.
According to a press release on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, signed by the NCC Head, Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, this follows the suspension of a planned strike by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) after successful mediation by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the NCC. The strike, if executed, would have disrupted diesel supply to telecom sites nationwide, crippling operators’ ability to power generators and maintain uninterrupted connectivity.
In the days preceding the resolution, the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, held strategic talks with NOGASA leadership, with the NCC providing technical and regulatory guidance on the potential impact of service disruptions on national security, the economy, and daily life. The engagement resulted in an agreement to call off the industrial action, preventing what could have been a nationwide communications blackout.
“Telecommunications infrastructure is the backbone of our connectivity and digital economy. Any disruption—whether from vandalism, accidental damage, theft, denial of access to maintenance teams, or supply interruptions—has far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability, and national security,” Ribadu said.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, commended ONSA’s leadership and praised stakeholders’ maturity in recognising the national importance of telecom services. He affirmed that the Commission would continue enforcing technical compliance by licensees, strengthening cooperation among stakeholders, and promoting public awareness on infrastructure protection.
“This resolution underscores the importance of dialogue in preventing avoidable service disruptions,” Maida said, urging Nigerians to view telecom facilities as shared national assets essential for communication, business, healthcare, education, and participation in the digital economy.
The Commission pledged continued coordination with security agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public to ensure Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure remains protected, resilient, and reliable.
