The National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) has solicited the cooperation of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the deployment of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools and solutions for improved national security.
Speaking during a visit to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, in Abuja, the Institute’s Director, Research Estimates and Library Services, Dr. Adegboyega Karim, said the visit was on a fact-finding mission to enrich ongoing research with focus on globalization and regional integration for sustainable development in Africa.
Karim led a team of the Executive Intelligence Management Course Sixteen Participants (EIM16), a study group with representations from various security agencies under the auspices of NISS, comprising senior military, police, intelligence services, and other relevant agencies, to the NCC head office in Abuja.
The security expert noted that the Commission had made progress in its sustained efforts on the nation’s digital economy drive and that its regulatory processes provided an opportunity for the collaboration to enable the group to research further into matters regarding telecommunications and national security.
In his brief remarks, the NCC’s Director, Special Duties, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, who received the NISS’ team on behalf of the EVC, said the Commission was ready to collaborate with the Institute and other private and public institutions that are committed to national development.
Recalling the achievements recorded in the nation’s ICT sector over the past years, the Director said it was based on the achievements that the Commission continued to promote the deployment of robust digital infrastructure capable of supporting and improving the security of lives and property.
He expatiated: “As a way of consolidating on the tremendous successes that had been recorded in the telecoms industry through effective regulatory regime emplaced by the Commission, the Federal Government has formulated a number of policies such as the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), among others, which serve as a compass for our efforts at building a resilient digital economy that supports security.”
The Director also updated the NISS’ team about NCC’s efforts towards ensuring adequate protection for telecoms facilities in the country which are treated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), the building of Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and collaborations with relevant agencies to ensure efficient telecom services nationwide.
