Yemisi Izuora
Nigeria has recorded 171 million mobile subscribers and a teledensity of 79.22 per cent as of June 2025, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.
The Commission also disclosed the telecommunications sector is the backbone of digital inclusion, connecting Nigerians to education, economic opportunities, and essential services.
The industry contributes over 14.4 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP (as of Q4 2024) and underpins nearly all critical sectors—from banking, energy, and health to security, education, and governance.
Speaking at the with the second edition of the Strategic Stakeholders meeting of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), with the theme “Building Resilience in Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure: The Executive Order and Beyond.”, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), of the Commission, Aminu Maida, notes that as Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation, the country stand at a crossroads of unprecedented opportunities and formidable challenges.
In a world increasingly defined by data and digital systems, our infrastructure is no longer just physical—it is virtual, interconnected, and crucial to every sector of society.
He challenged the stakeholders that as the country enters this new era, there is need to forge a path toward a secure, resilient, adaptive, and inclusive digital future.
The digital transformation of Nigeria has accelerated over the past decade. From e-governance to digital financial services, telemedicine, education, and smart agriculture, the dependency on digital infrastructure continues to grow. However, this transformation brings with it a host of vulnerabilities: cyber-attacks, physical sabotage, climate-related disasters, and infrastructural
duplication, among others.
“The consequences of these vulnerabilities are far-reaching. A disruption in our telecommunications network can stall emergency services, halt financial transactions, disrupt businesses, and affect national security. Thus, resilience is not a luxury—it is a national imperative.
“At the heart of our discussion is the Presidential Order of June 2024, which designates telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
“The CNII encompasses the interconnected systems and networks—telecommunications, data centers, and digital platforms—that power Nigeria’s economy, security, public health, and governance. These are the foundational pillars of our digital ecosystem, enabling critical sectors like finance, healthcare, energy, and education to thrive. 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.” Maida said.
The EVC, expressed deep concerns that telecommunications infrastructure in Nigeria faces relentless threats,adding, “The Nigeria Cybersecurity Outlook Report by Deloitte highlights a surge in cyberthreats in 2024, from ransomware to insider attacks. Physical disruptions, such as vandalism and theft, are equally alarming, with service providers reporting an average of 30 to 43 fibre cuts daily. These incidents erode service reliability, public trust, and economic stability.”
According to him, The Presidential Order is a clarion call to protect this vital infrastructure. It aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020- 2030) and the Renewed Hope Agenda. 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.”
He said the Presidential Order is not merely a policy directive—it is a national imperative that demands coordinated, decisive action.
The NCC he said has taken bold steps to operationalize this Order, ensuring its transformative impact across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The efforts include, Comprehensive Infrastructure Mapping, under which it has initiated a nationwide mapping of critical telecom assets, including fibre-optic networks, data centers, and mobile towers, to prioritize protection and investment.
On the Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP), in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which has the statutory mandate to oversee the operationalisation of the CNII framework, the NCC is developing a robust plan to prevent unauthorized access, vandalism, and cyberattacks.
This collaboration ensures alignment between regulatory enforcement and national security strategy, particularly in intelligence sharing, risk classification, and response coordination.
Under the Stakeholder Awareness Campaigns, the Commission is launching nationwide initiatives 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.
In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy and the Federal Ministry of Works, the NCC has established 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.
He identified States and local governments as critical partners in this journey as they are responsible for enforcing compliance, securing right-of-way for fibre deployments, and addressing local challenges like vandalism. However, inconsistent policies, high taxation, and limited coordination between state and federal agencies pose significant hurdles.
The NCC is 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 approach has yielded measurable outcomes, notably in Osun and Kogi States, where previously stalled infrastructure deployments have resumed following regulatory mediation. This reinforces our belief that engagement, not litigation, is often the more sustainable path to resolving industry friction points.
The NCC has also advanced stakeholder collaboration as a cornerstone of CNII protection. The Presidential Order is not self-executing. Its success depends on the awareness, participation, and cooperation of all key actors— including lawmakers, law enforcement, the judiciary, state governments, and private sector operators. In this regard, the Commission has hosted a series of high-level stakeholder engagements with the National Assembly, the Judiciary, and most recently, with State Attorneys-General. These forums have served as platforms to clarify roles and responsibilities under the CNII Order and to underscore the urgency of defending our telecommunications infrastructure from all forms of disruption.
While collaboration and awareness remain its primary tools, enforcement actions are not off the table, the NCC views enforcement as a measure of last resort—one to be deployed only when all engagement and mediation avenues have been exhausted. And when we do enforce, it is with the backing and cooperation of relevant security, legal, and oversight institutions. Our goal is not to penalise, but to preserve the integrity and continuity of national communications systems.
“Together, these interventions reflect a layered approach to CNII protection—one that is preventive, participatory, and pragmatic. As threats to critical infrastructure evolve in scope and sophistication—from fibre cuts, theft of fuel and telecom equipment to cyberattacks and misinformation— our response must likewise be adaptive, inclusive, and anchored in shared responsibility.” he pleaded.
He said further, “As we operationalize the Presidential Order, we acknowledge concerns within the industry about leadership and coordination in the CNII process. Questions about who leads this transformative effort have created uncertainty. Let me be clear: the NCC, as the statutory regulator of the telecommunications sector, is firmly positioned to lead this initiative under the guidance of national policy frameworks. However, leadership does not mean exclusivity—it demands collaboration.
“A fragmented approach risks diluting our efforts and undermining the Order’s objectives. The NCC is committed to a coordinated strategy that leverages the expertise and resources of all stakeholders—telecom operators, government agencies, security forces, and communities. We recognize ATCON’s pivotal role as a unifying voice for the industry and value your insights in shaping this framework. The NCC will continue to engage constructively, but our leadership role in ensuring regulatory oversight and national alignment is non-negotiable.
“Every stakeholder has a collective responsibility to achieve optimal implementation. Telecom operators must invest in resilient infrastructure, policymakers must streamline regulations, and communities must protect shared assets. Together, we can build a cohesive ecosystem that safeguards CNII and drives Nigeria’s digital ambitions.”
Maida, notes that 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, he invited 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 said the security and resilience of our national infrastructure is not negotiable. The Presidential Order challenges the industry to think beyond compliance—to envision a Nigeria where every citizen benefits from a robust, connected, and secure digital ecosystem.
The NCC pledges its unwavering resolve to lead this vision, but its success hinges on our collective action.