By Chinenye Anuforo
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, has emphasised the urgent need to safeguard Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, describing telecommunications as a national imperative and a cornerstone of the country’s stability, economy, and security.
Speaking at the 2nd Edition of the Strategic Stakeholders Meeting of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Lagos on Friday, August 15, 2025, Maida highlighted that Nigeria has reached a critical juncture in its digital transformation journey. He noted that while telecom networks drive financial services, healthcare, education, and governance, they face growing risks from cyberattacks, vandalism, and climate-related disruptions.
“Our infrastructure is no longer just physical. It is virtual, interconnected, and crucial to every sector of society. Resilience is not a luxury; it is a national imperative,” Maida told industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders.
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He referenced the June 2024 Presidential Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), a landmark recognition of telecom networks, data centres, and digital platforms as lifelines of Nigeria’s economy and public safety.
With over 171 million active mobile subscribers and a teledensity of 79.22 percent as of June 2025, the telecom sector contributes 14.4 percent to Nigeria’s GDP and underpins nearly all critical industries. However, it remains under constant threat. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Cybersecurity Outlook, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in cyber incidents, including ransomware and insider attacks. Additionally, service providers report an average of 30 to 43 fibre cuts daily, largely due to vandalism and theft, which undermine reliability and public trust.
“These incidents have far-reaching consequences. A disruption in our telecom networks can stall emergency services, halt financial transactions, disrupt businesses, and affect national security,” Maida warned.
To operationalise the Presidential Order, the NCC has initiated several measures, including nationwide infrastructure mapping to identify and prioritise critical telecom assets. The Commission is also collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on a Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) to guard against unauthorised access, vandalism, and cyber threats.
Maida stated that these efforts align with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030) and the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, both of which position digital infrastructure as central to national development.
He added that protecting Nigeria’s telecom backbone would enhance service reliability, boost investor confidence, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in Africa’s digital economy.
“Without resilience, our aspirations for a connected and prosperous nation are at risk. But with collective action, we can build an infrastructure that is secure, adaptive, and inclusive,” he concluded.
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