Stakeholders in ICT sector has decried the persistent vandalism of critical national information infrastructure (CNII), emphasizing on the importance of the telecom industry to the country’s economy despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s designation of ICT infrastructure as a national asset,
This call was made During the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) and Sustainability Conference organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) held in Lagos on Thursday. August 7, 2025
In a keynote address, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC. Dr. Aminu Maida, highlighted the strategic importance of telecommunications in national development. He noted that it contributes 14.4% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and underpins nearly all critical national information infrastructure.
The EVC was ably represented by the Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department. Mr. Edoyemi. The theme, “Telecom Industry Sustainability and CNII Factor – Way Forward,” underscores the need for a collaborative approach to ensuring the sustainability and security of the telecom industry.
The NCC identified several challenges facing the industry, including:
Access denial, vandalism, fibre cuts, and theft as significant causative factors for service downtime. They declared that the Commission is working towards addressing these issues through improved stakeholder collaboration and public awareness campaigns.
He pointed out that the majority of base stations rely on diesel, and the cost of operations remains high. He stressed that multiple taxation and access delays across states continue to slow fibre rollout an also noted that Complex and time-consuming permit processes are hindering the deployment of new telecom infrastructure.
The security situation in parts of the country has made the deployment and maintenance of telecom infrastructure challenging.
ICT Stakeholders Outline Strategic Measures to Protect Critical Infrastructure
However, the NCC outlined a five-pillar approach to addressing these challenges which includes: The Commission working to sensitize citizens to treat communications infrastructure as national assets and to promote community-based surveillance programs, improve collaboration between players in the communications industry and other critical stakeholders, information sharing amongst stakeholders, including between construction companies and infrastructure owners during road construction.
He concluded on the importance of a collaborative approach to ensuring the sustainability and security of the telecom industry, urging all stakeholders to work together to safeguard critical national information by infrastructure and to build a future-proof communication ecosystem that is secure, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.
Corroborating with NCC, Alton president Engr Gbenga Adebayo in his keynote Address highlighted 5 key levels of protection industry stakeholders can give to the Industry infrastructure to include:
- Industry self-protection (the need for perimeter fencing and all)
- Community ownership and awareness, (to Enlighten locals on the dangers of tempering with CNII)
- Market accountability and ethical practice, (where there are no readily available markets to sell stolen infrastructure items),
- Government infrastructure bill
- Optimal law enforcement by authorities to serve as deterrent to vandals of CNII.
Earlier, the Chairman NITRA Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchilam in a welcome address appreciated all the sponsors of the event stressing the need for key stakeholders to walk the talk when it comes to CNII. He stressed the bodies commitment to staying on this course in subsequent series of engagement, as partners in ict industry growth.
NITRA is an umbrella body for journalists reporting on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) activities in Nigeria. Specifically, NITRA represents technology journalists and editors from print, broadcast, and online media organizations across the country.
Their primary goals is to promote ICT Development in Nigeria, guiding and Protecting ICT Reportage, as well as monitor ICT activities in various media platforms while organising training and capacity-building programs for its members to enhance their skills and knowledge in ICT reporting.
🔗 Join the conversation on safeguarding Nigeria’s telecom future. Read the full stories, insights, and expert recommendations on protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) at LouisaOlaniyi.com.ng.
