NCC kicks off public campaign to protect Nigeria’s telecoms infrastructure

By Mofeoluwa Awe

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a nationwide digital public sensitization campaign aimed at protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) within the telecommunications space.

The initiative which forms part of the Commission’s broader consumer education strategy, seeks to raise awareness and build collective responsibility among Nigerians to safeguard key digital assets.

The campaign comes on the heels of the Executive order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2024, which mandates the designation and protection of CNII across the country. The Executive order was introduced in response to growing concerns over the vulnerability of national assets to vandalism, theft, robbery, arson, and other criminal threats.

In line with this directive, the NCC has taken deliberate steps to strengthen collaborations with relevant stakeholders, teaming up with the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASMIRA) to reinforce the protection of telecoms infrastructure, beginning with a Tower Enumeration Project across Lagos State.

This partnership underscores a shared commitment to enforcing penalties against offenders and improving the quality of internet access for consumers in Nigeria’s bustling digital ecosystem.

To further solidify this alliance, a delegation from LASIMRA recently paid a visit to the NCC headquarters in Abuja. The visit marked a significant milestone in aligning the efforts of both regulatory bodies and laid the groundwork for more coordinated actions that will enhance telecom service delivery and consumer experience in Lagos and beyond.

The momentum around CNII protection also gained traction at the 7th edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) held in Lagos, where industry stakeholders converged to discuss strategies for safeguarding Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure, which is estimated to be worth over $75.6 billion.

The forum, themed “CNII: Strengthening Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure through Proactive Implementation and Strategic Coordination,” served as a platform for in-depth conversations on the best ways to implement the Executive Order collaboratively and effectively.

PIAFo’s organizers emphasized the importance of inclusivity and strategic coordination to ensure the long-term security of telecom infrastructure. Participants, which included regulators, policymakers, and private sector leaders, echoed a unified call to action to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s digital economy.

As part of the ongoing public enlightenment effort, the NCC has rolled out USSD messages and SMS alerts to telecom subscribers nationwide. The messages are straightforward and impactful, urging Nigerians to treat telecom infrastructure as a shared national treasure. One message read, “Protect Nigeria’s telecoms infrastructure! They are critical national assets protected by law.” Another adds, “Telecoms infrastructure is a national treasure! Let’s protect it together.”

With this campaign now in full swing, the NCC is not only reinforcing its regulatory mandate but also rallying citizens, state agencies, and industry players to collectively protect Nigeria’s vital communication systems. The protection of CNII is no longer a job for the authorities alone, it’s a national duty that demands everyone’s involvement.