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| NCC boss, Aminu Maida |
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its dedication to enforcing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
This directive classifies telecommunications facilities as vital national assets, emphasizing the need for their stringent protection.
This announcement follows a successful intervention led by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in partnership with the NCC, which helped avert a planned strike by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA).
The collaborative effort underscores the commitment to maintaining uninterrupted telecommunication services crucial to national security and economic stability.
The strike, if carried out, would have disrupted the supply of diesel to telecommunications sites nationwide, severely affecting network operators’ ability to power their diesel-driven generators and maintain uninterrupted connectivity.
A press release signed by Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, Head, Public Affairs of the NCC states discloses that in the days leading up to the resolution, the ONSA, under the leadership of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, held strategic engagements with NOGASA’s leadership, with the Commission providing technical and regulatory guidance to highlight the potential implications of service disruptions on national security, the economy, and everyday life.
According to the press release, the discussions culminated in an agreement to call off the industrial action, averting what could have been a nationwide disruption of telecom services.
“Telecommunications infrastructure is the backbone of our connectivity and digital economy. Any disruption, whether through vandalism, accidental damage during construction work, theft of equipment, denial of access to maintenance teams, or interruptions in the supply of essential operational materials, has far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability, and national security,” the NSA was quoted to have said in the press release.
The Commission expressed appreciation to the ONSA for its leadership and dedication to protecting national assets and commended the maturity and understanding demonstrated by relevant stakeholders in recognising the national importance of telecommunications services.
Commenting on the development, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, stated: “We will continue to enforce strict compliance by our licensees with technical standards for the deployment and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, while working closely with relevant stakeholders to strengthen awareness and cooperation on their protection.
“We also recognise mediation as an effective tool for building consensus among stakeholders. This resolution underscores the importance of dialogue in preventing avoidable service disruptions. Ultimately, we call on all Nigerians to regard telecom infrastructure as a shared national asset, one that underpins our ability to connect with loved ones, transact businesses, access healthcare, pursue education, and participate in the global digital economy.”
The Commission reaffirmed that it would continue to coordinate with security agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public to ensure that Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure remains protected, resilient, and reliable for all.
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