Digital Economy: NCC, ONSA dismantling cartels stealing and destroying telecoms equipment –Maida

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, through mediation, enforcement, and prosecutions of vandals and economic saboteurs, the NCC and Office of the National Security Adviser are implementing the Presidential Order to protect the country’s digital equipment as ‘lifelines’

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As stakeholders accelerate Internet access across the country’s digital ecosystem, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has affirmed its commitment to translating Nigeria’s plan of a significant boost to Broadband connectivity by end of 2025 into action.

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, said this in his remarks at the recent Business Roundtable on investments in Broadband connectivity and protection of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) in the country.

The theme of the stakeholders’ business roundtable was: “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity”.

ConsumerConnect reports the Nigerian Government through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology (FMCIDE) and NCC said the stakeholders are poised to attain 70 percent Broadband penetration by end of December this year.

The government has also intensified efforts at deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across the West African country.

Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for FMCIDE, Nigeria is currently pursuing the ambitious targets of the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025), stated the EVC/CEO of the Commission.

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The Executive Vice-Chairman of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission noted that connectivity has advanced economic inclusion, productivity, and national resilience in the emerging digital economy.

NCC, ONSA tackle saboteurs stealing, destroying telecoms assets

In a decisive move to record the planned target by end of 2025, Maida disclosed the NCC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have introduced a number of initiatives to address extant challenges in the telecoms industry.

He highlighted some of these measures to include sustained advocacy of the Commission, ONSA, FMCIDE, and the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Presidential Order, which President Tinubu signed June 2024.

The CNII Presidential Order guarantees proactive protection of Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure by providing the Executive backing for law enforcement agents to deal with vandalism, theft and denial of service to these assets.

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It equally ensures the continued network service provision by operators.

Maida disclosed the Commission, working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, had been tasked to ensure full operationalisation of this mandate in the telecommunications sector.

In actualising the mandate to protect the Critical Nationals Information Infrastructure, the NCC Chief stated: “We have set up a Telecommunications Industry Working Group to coordinate its operationalisation.”

“Our first task has been to ensure strict compliance with baseline standards for site security, maintenance, and access control.”

He explained: “We have also launched a broad public awareness drive, including TV and radio jingles, social media campaigns, and community engagement initiatives, to mobilise citizens in protecting telecom infrastructure.

“In addition, the Commission alongside ONSA is deepening collaboration with sub-nationals and their institutions, as well as the judiciary—for deterrence and speedy prosecution.”

According to him, through mediation, enforcement, and prosecutions of vandals, the NCC and ONSA are giving practical effect to the Presidential Order in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital lifelines.

Maida related that within the last two years, ONSA has “successfully dismantled major cartels responsible for the theft of telecommunications equipment across the country.”

One of the most significant barriers to Broadband deployment also is the high cost of Right of Way (RoW) fees charged by state governments.

The EVC/CEO of NCC said that was despite the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) resolution to fix the rate at N145 per linear meter for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

Addressing the issue. Maida affirmed the telecoms regulator has continued to intensify advocacy with states to reduce or waive these fees to accelerate Broadband rollout in the country.

Some benefits of stakeholders’ engagements on RoW

Highlighting the gains of stakeholder engagements on depeening Broadband deployment, especially through states, Dr. Maida disclosed in the last two years, five additional states, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Benue and Zamfara, have waived RoW fees entirely for telecoms providers.

This, he noted, brings the total number of states offering zero RoW charges to 11, while 17 states have capped it at N145 per metre.

The Chief Executive stated: “Our sustained engagement with state governments, including today’s gathering underscores our commitment to creating an enabling environment for Broadband expansion.

“We are also promoting the ‘dig-once’ coordination with public works to cut avoidable fibre damage and lower civil-works costs by sharing ducts and plans.

“Our goal is uniform, predictable RoW countrywide, paired with clear permitting SLAs.”

Likewise, in accordance with the Commission’s economic regulatory mandate, Maida said the regulatory approval for 50 percent tariff rate increments for MNOs are “both cost-reflective and competitive within the telecommunications industry”.

“This strategic regulatory intervention has significantly strengthened investor confidence in the Nigerian telecommunications sector,” said he.

He, therefore, assured the stakeholders, including investors and consumers that the Commission is well-entrenched in the vision for a deliberate and strategic action to address industry challenges.

Maida added: “We are driving Broadband expansion, strengthening regulation, and safeguarding the industry—even in the face of a challenging operating environment.”

He assured the Federal Government is poised to provide youths with “reliable, affordable, high- speed connectivity” to play big in the emerging Nigeria Digital Economy.

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