At the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, IHS Towers, ALTON, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) laid out strategies to protect Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure from cyber threats, theft, and vandalism.
These strategies are critical for supporting the nation’s economic growth. IHS Towers’ Senior Vice President, Dapo Otunla, emphasized the importance of safeguarding telecommunications assets, now designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), through a collaborative approach and robust protection plans.
He also highlighted the need for a strong ecosystem to secure national security and digital grow
In his remarks, ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo praised the government for issuing an executive order that designates communication infrastructure as CNI but warned that its success depends on the development of a comprehensive protection plan.
Adebayo called for the creation of a centralized database to manage telecom infrastructure nationwide, suggesting that routine surveillance be conducted by security agencies like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the police to prevent interference.
From the regulatory perspective, NCC Deputy Director Isah Latinwo acknowledged the significance of the executive order and shared that the Commission is working on an updated protection plan to safeguard telecom infrastructure.
This plan, expected by the end of the year, would help operators and stakeholders defend against threats, such as negligent road construction and bureaucratic delays. Latinwo assured that the NCC is committed to enforcing these protections.
In recent years, telecom infrastructure in Nigeria has faced numerous challenges. MTN Nigeria, for instance, experienced over 6,000 fiber cable cuts in 2023 alone, leading to expensive relocations and repairs. These incidents highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect the digital backbone that powers Nigeria’s economy.
The federal government’s move to make telecom infrastructure a critical national asset was a major step toward addressing these threats. Industry stakeholders have long called for such measures, and the recent initiatives by IHS Towers, ALTON, and NCC aim to secure the future of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector for sustainable economic growth.