*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, avers every stakeholder in the digital ecosystem has a collective responsibility to achieve optimal implementation of the Presidential Order designating telecoms infrastructure as ‘Critical National Information Infrastructure’ in the West African country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) again, has emphasised the urgent need to rally all stakeholders to safeguard the country’s telecoms infrastructure, described as “shared assets”.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, stated this Friday, August 15, 2025, in his Keynote Address delivered at the 2nd Edition of the Strategic Stakeholders Meeting of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), in Abuja, FCT.

The theme of the 2nd Edition of the Meeting focused on 鈥淏uilding Resilience in Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure: The Executive Order and Beyond”.

Dr. Maida, represented at the forum by Mrs. Chioma Ibe, Assistant Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department at NCC, said protection of the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) is a collective responsibility of all industry stakeholders and Nigerians as a whole.

He also averred: “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鈥檚 digital ambitions.”

Maida noted the ATCON’s Strategic Stakeholders’ Meeting is a platform that exemplifies collaboration and innovation in the telecommunications sector of the economy.

“I extend my sincere gratitude to ATCON for this gracious invitation and for your relentless commitment to advancing our nation鈥檚 digital agenda,” states he.

Underscoring the strategic importance of the forum, the NCC Executive Vice-Chairman acknowledged that the diverse coalition, including telecoms operators and other stakeholders, are united by a shared vision to address a topic that lies at the heart of Nigeria’s journey towards a digitally enabled and economically secure future, and strengthen the digital infrastructure.

Designation of telecoms assets as CNII

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, via an Executive Order (EO) in 2024, had designated telecoms infrastructure as CNII in the West African country.

The EVC/CEO of NCC described the Presidential Order as a clarion call to protect this vital infrastructure in Nigeria.

He said: “It aligns with Nigeria鈥檚 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鈥檚 digital economy. “Without it, our aspirations for a connected and prosperous nation are at risk.”

According to him, in a world increasingly defined by data and digital systems, the country’s infrastructure is no longer just physical鈥攊t is virtual, interconnected, and crucial to every sector of society.

He further noted: “As we enter this new era, we must forge a path towards a secure, resilient, adaptive, and inclusive digital future.”

The role of telecoms as national infrastructure, by Maida

Highlighting the critical role, which the telecommunications industry plays in the Nigerian economy, Maida stated the digital transformation of the country 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.

The EVC/CEO, however, observed that this transformation brings with it a host of vulnerabilities.

These, he noted, include cyberattacks, physical sabotage, climate-related disasters, and infrastructural duplication, among others.

He said: “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.

鈥淭hus, resilience is not a luxury鈥攊t 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).”

He equally explained that CNII encompasses the interconnected systems and networks鈥攖elecommunications, data centers, and digital platforms鈥攖hat power Nigeria鈥檚 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.

“Telecoms towers, fibre optic networks, data centres constitute the digital lifelines of our economy, and any disruption to these assets could paralyse vital services鈥攊ncluding emergency communications, financial transactions, and government operations,” Maida declared in his address.

NCC, ONSA on activating Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan

Affirming the significance of classification of telecoms infrastructure as CNII, the EVC/CEO noted the “designation is a landmark recognition of telecommunications as a cornerstone of national stability and digital sovereignty.”

He mentioned the collaborative efforts between the Commission and the Offices of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

As regards the Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP), Maida noted that in partnership with ONSA, which has the statutory mandate to oversee the operationalisation of the CNII framework, the NCC is developing a robust plan to prevent unauthorised access, vandalism, and cyberattacks.

He said: “This collaboration ensures alignment between regulatory enforcement and national security strategy, particularly in intelligence sharing, risk classification, and response coordination.”

Telecoms remains backbone of digital inclusion in Nigeria

Citing relevant statistics to back up his assertions, Maida said with 171 million mobile subscribers and a teledensity of 79.22 percent, as of June 2025, Nigeria’s “telecommunications sector is the backbone of digital inclusion, connecting Nigerians to education, economic opportunities, and essential services.”

He further disclosed the telecoms industry contributed over 14.4 percent to Nigeria鈥檚 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (as of Q4 2024) and underpins nearly all critical sectors鈥攆rom banking, energy, and health to security, education, and governance.

Despite the peaks recorded in the ecosystem, the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC said yet, “this infrastructure faces relentless threats” in the country.

Citing the Nigeria Cybersecurity Outlook Report by Deloitte, he said the report also 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,” Maida noted.

He, therefore, urged all stakeholders and Nigerians at large to hands in implementing the Presidential Order designating telecoms infrastructure as CNII.

He averred this “is a clarion call to protect this vital infrastructure.

“It aligns with Nigeria鈥檚 National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020- 2030) and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Maida added: “A resilient CNII will foster citizen confidence, attract investment, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa鈥檚

digital economy. “Without it, our aspirations for a connected and prosperous nation are at risk.”

As the Presidential Order lays a strong foundation, Maida averred that resilience in Nigeria鈥檚 digital infrastructure then requires sustained effort and partnership.

“The NCC is committed to leading this charge, but we cannot succeed alone.

“I call on ATCON, telecoms operators, and all stakeholders to join us in this transformative journey,” he stated.

According to him, addressing these issues requires not just regulatory tools, but inter-agency cooperation, legislative backing, private sector responsibility, and public awareness across Nigeria.

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