In furtherance of its frontline moves to fast-track the current drive towards full digitization of the nation’s economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has solicited the partnership of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and other stakeholders for consolidation of the telecoms sector’s infrastructure and protection for sustainable growth of the economy.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the call for collaboration of stakeholders in the telecoms space in his Keynote Address delivered at the 2nd Edition of the Strategic Stakeholders Meeting of the ATCON held last Friday in Abuja.
Anchoring his speech primarily on the Presidential Order of June 2024, which designates telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), the industry regulator stressed that if the protection of the CNII remained a priority of all players in the telecommunications ecosystem, the goal of positioning Nigeria at the leading edge of the rapidly evolving global economic order would be achieved.
According to him, the CNII encompasses the interconnected systems and networks—telecommunications, data centers, and digital platforms that power Nigeria’s economy, security, public health, and governance.
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Maida described the CNII as the foundational pillars of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, enabling critical sectors like finance, healthcare, energy, and education to thrive, stressing that telecom towers, fibre optic networks, data centres constitute the digital lifelines of our economy, and any disruption to these assets could paralyse vital services—including emergency communications, financial transactions, and government operations.
He explained: “This designation is a landmark recognition of telecommunications as a cornerstone of national stability and digital sovereignty. With 171 million mobile subscribers and a teledensity of 79.22% as of June 2025, our telecommunications sector is the backbone of digital inclusion, connecting Nigerians to education, economic opportunities, and essential services.”
The EVC recalled that the industry contributed over 14.4% to Nigeria’s GDP (as of Q4 2024) and underpins nearly all critical sectors—from banking, energy, and health to security, education, and governance. Yet, this infrastructure faces relentless threats, noting that the Nigeria Cybersecurity Outlook Report by Deloitte highlights a surge in cyberthreats in 2024, from ransomware to insider attacks.
Maida lamented that physical disruptions, such as vandalism and theft, were equally alarming, with service providers reporting an average of 30 to 43 fibre cuts daily and that these incidents erode service reliability, public trust, and economic stability.
He maintained that the Presidential Order remained a clarion call to protect this vital infrastructure as it aligned with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020- 2030) and the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that a resilient CNII will foster citizen confidence, attract investment, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital economy. Without it, our aspirations for a connected and prosperous nation are at risk.
On operationalizing the Presidential Order, the EVC noted that Order was not merely a policy directive but a national imperative that demands coordinated, decisive action.
He listed some of the bold steps taken by the NCC to operationalize the Order in ensuring its transformative impact across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem as including Comprehensive Infrastructure Mapping: a nationwide mapping of critical telecom assets, including fibre-optic networks, data centers, and mobile towers, to prioritize protection and investment; and the Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) being championed by the commission in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which has the statutory mandate to oversee the operationalisation of the CNII framework, by developing a robust plan to prevent unauthorized access, vandalism, and cyberattacks.
Others are Stakeholder Awareness Campaigns: The launching of nationwide initiatives by the NCC to educate communities and stakeholders on their shared responsibility to protect CNII. Delivered through radio jingles, social media, and other multimedia channels, these campaigns aim to educate the public on how disruptions—whether due to vandalism, construction accidents, or negligence—directly affect the quality of service, emergency communications, and everyday digital services relied upon by millions of Nigerians. Public buy-in is essential, and we are committed to ensuring that telecom infrastructure is viewed as a national asset deserving of collective protection.
Maida also spoke on the commission coordination with Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation & Digital Economy and Federal Ministry of Works by establishing mechanisms to safeguard fibre-optic cables during road construction and rehabilitation. In addition, the Commission is working toward executing a Memorandum of Understanding with key stakeholders in the telecom infrastructure ecosystem like the Federal Ministry of Works.
In appreciation of the Role of Sub-National Governments in the CNII project, the EVC disclosed that NCC was actively engaging state governments to harmonize policies and ensure CNII protection at the sub-national level. We have also institutionalised mediation as a proactive dispute resolution mechanism. In instances where operators face administrative hurdles or community resistance during infrastructure roll-out, the NCC actively intervenes to facilitate consensus.
This is even as he confirmed that the commission had also advanced stakeholder collaboration as a cornerstone of CNII protection since the Presidential Order is not self-executing and tthe success depends on the awareness, participation, and cooperation of all key actors— including lawmakers, law enforcement, the judiciary, state governments, and private sector operators.
Finally, Maida explained that while collaboration and awareness remained the commission’s primary tools, enforcement actions are not off the table as the management views enforcement as a measure of last resort—one to be deployed only when all engagement and mediation avenues have been exhausted.
He pointed out that the commission’s enforcement was being complemented with the backing and cooperation of relevant security, legal, and oversight institutions and that goal was not to penalise, but to preserve the integrity and continuity of national communications systems.
The EVC said that together, these interventions reflected a layered approach to CNII protection, one that is preventive, participatory, and pragmatic, adding thataAs threats to critical infrastructure evolve in scope and sophistication—from fibre cuts, theft of fuel and telecom equipment to cyberattacks and misinformation— the stakeholders’ response must likewise be adaptive, inclusive, and anchored in shared responsibility.
On how to address the industry landscape, Maida said that as the telecoms stakeholders operationalize the Presidential Order, questions about who leads this transformative effort should not create uncertainty, stressing that the NCC, as the statutory regulator of the telecommunications sector, is firmly positioned to lead this initiative under the guidance of national policy frameworks but that leadership does not mean exclusivity—it demands collaboration.
He noted that a fragmented approach risked diluting the stakeholders’ efforts and undermining the Order’s objectives and that the NCC was committed to a coordinated strategy that leverages the expertise and resources of all stakeholders—telecom operators, government agencies, security forces, and communities.
While recognizing ATCON’s pivotal role as a unifying voice for the industry and value your insights in shaping this framework, the EVC promised that NCC would continue to engage constructively, but our leadership role in ensuring regulatory oversight and national alignment is non-negotiable.
Maida maintained that every stakeholder had a collective responsibility to achieve optimal implementation, stressing that telecom operators must invest in resilient infrastructure, policymakers must streamline regulations, and communities must protect shared assets such that collectively the stakeholders can build a cohesive ecosystem that safeguards CNII and drives Nigeria’s digital ambitions.
On the way forward in the implementation of stakeholders’ collaborative vision for the Presidential Order, he said: “The Presidential Order lays a strong foundation, but resilience in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure requires sustained effort and partnership. The NCC is committed to leading this charge, but we cannot succeed alone.
“ I call on ATCON, telecom operators, and all stakeholders to join us in this transformative journey. Addressing these issues requires not just regulatory tools, but inter-agency cooperation, legislative backing, private sector responsibility, and public awareness.
“Our path forward rests on five pillars:“Public Awareness and Community Ownership: We must scale campaigns that sensitise citizens to treat communications infrastructure as national assets. Community-based surveillance programs can complement state-led enforcement. The media play a key role in this regard.
“Improved Inter-Stakeholder Collaboration on CNII Protection: Enhanced inter-stakeholder collaboration between players in the communications industry and other critical stakeholders.
“Improved Information Sharing Amongst Stakeholders: Better coordination via information sharing with critical stakeholders, e.g., between construction companies and infrastructure owners during road construction and maintenance activities.
“Streamlined and Uniform Acquisition and Permit Processes for New Communications Infrastructure Build: Simplifying processes to reduce delays and support infrastructure expansion.
“Strengthened Enforcement and Deterrence Mechanisms: There is a pressing need to ensure adequate punitive measures are taken against culprits involved in the damage of critical infrastructure, considering the impact the damage has on the socio-economic, safety, and security of Nigerians.
“To ensure inclusive implementation, we invite industry players to actively shape the CNII framework, bringing your expertise and innovation to the table. Together, we can create a Nigeria where digital infrastructure is not only secure but also a catalyst for economic empowerment and global competitiveness”, he added.
The EVC told the stakeholders that the security and resilience of our national infrastructure was not negotiable , noting that the Presidential Order challenges us to think beyond compliance—to envision a Nigeria where every citizen benefits from a robust, connected, and secure digital ecosystem.
While pledging the commission’s unwavering resolve to lead this vision, but that its success hinges on the stakeholders’ collective action, he charged every stakeholder to commit to invest, collaborate, and protect as well as participate actively in shaping a CNII framework that reflects Nigeria’s aspirations.
