The Presidential Order recently signed by President Bola Tinubu, designating all telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, is a safety nest for vital telecom assets across the country.
Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, stated this at a workshop held recently.
He said the Presidential Order will protect the telecommunication assets from vandalism, theft and fiber cuts by construction companies.
The president had, in July, signed the Presidential Order, drawing from the powers granted under the Cybercrimes Act of 2024, to designate what may be categorised as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
The NCC EVC/CEO said it was essential to protect the telecommunication infrastructure in the country, noting that “no sector of the national life is left out of the digital transformation conversation. It impacts all of us.”
He said telecommunication infrastructure has increasingly, over the years, suffered disruptions due extensive damage from vandalism and theft, fiber cuts by construction companies and restricted access, preventing operators from servicing critical infrastructure.
Maida assured that, with the signing of the Presidential Order, NCC will be empowered to deal with such issues as vandalism, illegal tampering and preventing access to communications infrastructure.
“With this Presidential Order, Nigeria now has a comprehensive policy framework to protect vital telecommunication assets—from base stations and data centres to fiber optic cables.
“This framework strengthens our ability to decisively confront issues such as vandalism, illegal tampering, and preventing access to communications infrastructure, holding violators accountable to deter future offenses.
“Under this Order, individuals, organisations, or even government agencies are prohibited from sealing, removing, or damaging telecommunications infrastructure without a lawful court order,” he said.
He made it known that the Presidential Order became a reality through the continuous advocacy of the NCC and collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
“The industry has long called for special protections to be accorded to these assets to ensure continuous connectivity and reliable communication services.
“This pivotal advancement for our industry was achieved through the NCC’s proactive advocacy and strategic collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy,” he said.
