CNII: Damaged telecoms assets threatening QoS, stability and national security –NCC

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, condemns the rising rate of damage to Critical National Information Infrastructure nationwide, disclosing the telecoms sector regulator has recorded 545 cases of access denial and 99 cases of theft on a weekly basis in the ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the reported shocking rate of damage to Critical National Information Infrastructure (NCII) nationwide, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) again, has decried the destruction of critical national assets, noting the country currently records an average of 1,100 fibre optic cut incidents weekly.

ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the NCC, disclosed this development Thursday, August 7, 2025, in his address at a Critical National Information Infrastructure and Sustainability Conference, in Lagos.

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of NCC

The Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) organised the event in collaboration with the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) with the theme: “Critical National ICT Infrastructure and Industry Sustainability, Way Forward”.

Dr. Maida said the telecoms sector regulatory Commission also recorded 545 cases of access denial and 99 cases of theft on a weekly basis in the country’s digital ecosystem.

ConsumerConnect reports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Maida stressed that the affected infrastructure had been designated Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) by President Bola Tinubu, via an Executive Order (EO), in 2024, under Section 3 of the Cybersecurity Act, designated telecommunications infrastructure as a CNII.

The pronouncement well places a national security responsibility on all stakeholders, including network operators, service providers, civil society, and telecoms consumers.

Represented on the occasion by Mr. Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department at NCC, the EVC/CEO also affirmed that such incidents have threatened quality of service delivery, operational stability, and national security in telecommunications.

The Executive Vice-Chairman further stated: “These are not just numbers. They reflect a national emergency.

“Every fibre cut, every theft, and every case of sabotage contributes to dropped calls, failed transactions, interrupted emergency services and economic losses.”

Maida: Telecoms infrastructure are digital lifelines of Nigerian economy

Underscoring the strategic importance of critical telecoms assets, the Commission said the increasing rate of damage to the CNII had become a major barrier to sustaining the emerging Nigeria Digital Economy, which relies on robust telecoms infrastructure.

Dr. Maida averred: “Our fibre networks, towers, and data centres are the digital lifelines of the Nigerian economy. Any disruption to them has far-reaching consequences.”

Enforcing technical standards in infrastructure deployment

Amid the worrisome level of damage to the CNII in the country’s digital space, Maida said the NCC had adopted a multi-layered approach, which combines technical enforcement, mediation, public sensitisation, and stakeholder engagement to address the issue.

The Commission, he affirmed, is already enforcing compliance with technical standards on infrastructure deployment, including the laying of fibre-optic cables and construction of telecom towers.

The EVC/CEO further explained: “A nationwide awareness campaign is also underway to educate the public on the dangers of vandalism, fibre cuts, and theft, with messages broadcast through radio, social media and multimedia channels.

“We are ensuring Nigerians understand that damage to telecoms infrastructure affects not just big companies, but ordinary people who depend on mobile services, ATMs (Automated Teller Machines), hospitals and security alerts.”

Besides, Maida mentioned the Commission’s ongoing collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

He equally emphasised the significance of the partnership with ONSA, noting it is key to aligning telecoms infrastructure protection with the broader security architecture in Nigeria.

In terms of the onsite security of telecoms infrastructure, he as well identified access denial to base stations as a growing challenge.

According to the NCC Chief, in several cases, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) were prevented from conducting essential maintenance and operations, thereby prolonging network outages in some locations.

The Right-of-Way (RoW) bottlenecks, complex and delayed permit processes, and the rising cost of operations due to heavy reliance on diesel-powered generators are also part of the pressing challenges in the telecoms space.

Maida added: “The security situation in parts of the country also poses a real barrier to safe and timely maintenance of telecom sites.”

Telcos urged to invest in security of telecoms infrastructure

Speaking at the conference, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), advised the network operators also to take greater responsibility in protecting their telecoms infrastructure before seeking government intervention.

Adebayo said it was unacceptable that some telecoms sites even lacked the “most basic security measures”, such as perimeter fencing, locks, or surveillance systems in the country.

The Chairman of ALTON urged telecoms industry stakeholders to lead by example in safeguarding its assets.

Increasing concerns about stolen telecoms components

Relating the rising menace of deliberate theft of telecoms equipment at sites, Engr. Engr. Adebayo stated: “The ease with which stolen telecoms components, such as generators, batteries and cables are being sold openly in local markets is also of concern.

“It is a thriving black market that encourages continued vandalism.”

According to him, some of the thefts were carried out by insiders who know the system, and the ready market made it easier for them to sell the stolen goods.

Aside from these, the ALTON Chairman noted the lack of coordination between telecoms operators and government contractors, particularly during road and utility construction projects in the country.

According to him, such apparently uncoordinated operations often resulted in accidental fibre cuts, leading to service disruptions and financial losses for operators.

Adebayo urged the need for stronger enforcement and prosecution of offenders, saying without deterrent measures, the cycle of vandalism would continue in the telecoms environment.

He, therefore, maintained that those caught in possession of stolen infrastructure must face the full weight of the law to discourage others.

Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, President of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association, as well advocates a telecoms infrastructure protection trust fund.

Onwuegbuchi, in his address, mentioned the success of the Federal Government’s security trust fund model as a guide.

He also expressed major concern about the prevalence of vandalism and its impact on local communities and essential services, including telecoms.

The President of NITRA said: “Some people see telecoms infrastructure as scrap they can sell for quick cash.

“We must educate our people and show them how such actions affect their own access to services.”

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