NCC unveils five-point strategy to protect Nigeria’s critical digital infrastructure

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has outlined a comprehensive five-point strategy to safeguard the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), which forms the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, revealed the measures in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, at an industry conference in Lagos themed “Critical National ICT Infrastructure and Industry Sustainability – Way Forward.”

The event was organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) in collaboration with the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).

Dr. Maida stressed the NCC’s commitment to translating the Presidential Order on CNII into action, highlighting five key strategies:

1. Stricter enforcement of technical standards

The NCC is intensifying compliance with technical regulations governing the deployment and maintenance of telecom infrastructure—including fibre-optic cables, masts, and towers—to ensure structural resilience and network security.

2. Comprehensive public awareness campaign

A nationwide campaign is underway to educate citizens about the importance of CNII and the dangers of vandalism, aiming to instill a sense of public ownership and encourage communities to protect telecom assets.

3. Enhanced Stakeholder Collaboration

The NCC is deepening cooperation with lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and private sector players. It is also engaging entities like the Federal Ministry of Works and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to coordinate responses and share responsibilities in infrastructure protection.

4. Institutionalization of Mediation

As an alternative to litigation, the Commission is promoting mediation to resolve disputes and remove administrative roadblocks. This strategy has already facilitated progress in states such as Osun and Kogi, where stalled projects were revived through dialogue.

5. Selective Enforcement Actions

While collaboration remains the preferred approach, the NCC made clear it will not hesitate to take enforcement actions when necessary. Such actions will be taken only after other options are exhausted, with the backing of legal and security institutions.

Dr. Maida also acknowledged ongoing challenges—such as vandalism, fibre cuts, power supply issues, Right-of-Way delays, permit bottlenecks, cyber threats, and insecurity—that continue to threaten the sustainability of the telecom sector.

To overcome these, he said the Commission is focusing on five pillars: increasing public awareness and community engagement, improving stakeholder collaboration, streamlining permitting processes, enhancing enforcement, and instituting stronger deterrent measures for infrastructure sabotage.

“The communications sector is more than just an economic driver—it is now a national resilience system,” Dr. Maida emphasized. “The cost of inaction is steep. We must all work together to secure a sustainable and resilient digital future for Nigeria.”