The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to the full operationalisation of the Executive Order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
The Executive Order on CNII designated telecoms facilities as critical national assets that deserved optimal protection.
The telecom regulatory agency stated this in a press release 2025/Vol.3/No.7, dated 13 August, 2025 and signed by its Head, Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha.
The assurance by the NCC of its commitment to the Executive Order on CNII was on the heels of a successful mediation which resulted in the suspension of a planned strike by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA).
The mediation, as stated in the release, was led by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in collaboration with the Commission.
The strike, if carried out, would have disrupted the supply of diesel to telecoms sites nationwide, severely affecting network operators’ ability to power their diesel-driven generators and maintain uninterrupted connectivity.
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.
NCC provided the technical and regulatory guidance to highlight the potential implications of service disruptions on national security, the economy, and everyday life.
The discussions, it was stated, 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 said.
NCC 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, NCC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, 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.
“We will also be 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.”
NCC reaffirmed that it would continue to coordinate with security agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public to ensure that Nigeria’s telecoms infrastructure remained protected, resilient and reliable for all.
