Telecoms regulators’ renewed campaign against damage to Nigeria’s critical information assets

*The Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps warn that any damage to optic fibre cables, as part of Critical National Information Infrastructure, resulting from unauthorised digging, construction activities, or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent such damage during construction constitutes a criminal offence that attracts prosecution and attendant applicable sanctions

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As part of the ongoing campaign to safeguard vital public assets from destruction, the Nigerian Government again, has warned excavation, road construction, or any civil engineering personnel against inflicting damage on the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), including fibre optic cables, in the country’s digital space.

Underscoring the strategic significance of these digital assets, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signed the “Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024” into law.

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The Order 2024 has designated telecoms infrastructure as critical national assets that should be safeguarded by all Nigerians.

ConsumerConnect reports the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in a renewed campaign against the destruction of these vital national assets have warned against damage to fibre-optic cable during road construction, and related civil works across the country.

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The NCC and NSCDC latest call for caution is informed by the rising incidence of avoidable fibre cuts resulting from negligence, which they noted would no longer be excused in the digital ecosystem.

The two regulatory bodies said announced that offenders risk prosecution as the act constitutes a crime.

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Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs Department at NCC, and Babawale Afolabi, National Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, who noted this in a joint statement Wednesday, February 4, 2026, reaffirmed that fibre optic cables are “critical national assets that power Nigeria’s digital economy, enable seamless communication, support emergency services, connect businesses, and facilitate government operations.”

The NCC and NSCDC also averred that the destruction of such crucial national assets, whether through negligence, lack of coordination, or wilful actions, poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability, and public safety in Nigeria.

The joint statement further noted: “Under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, telecommunications fibre infrastructure is classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure.

Consequences of damage to fibre optic infrastructure 

Regarding the attendant consequences for individual or institutional damage to these critical  national assets, the two  regulators declared: “Consequently, any damage resulting from unauthorised digging, construction activities, or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent damage during construction constitutes a criminal offence.”

They equally warned that individuals, construction companies, or government contractors, who damage fibre optic infrastructure would be made to face prosecution and applicable sanctions, in line with the provision under existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

Their joint statement, therefore, issued a categorical warning that “future damage to fibre optic infrastructure caused by excavation, road construction, or any civil engineering activity conducted without due consultation or collaboration with network operators and relevant regulators will attract strict legal consequences.”

The regulators as well urged the Federal, State and Local Government agencies; road construction companies; utility service providers; and private developers to ensure full compliance by conducting pre‑construction verification of fibre routes; collaborating with the NCC, telecoms operators and NSCDC before and during construction; adhering to approved guidelines for excavation and Right‑of‑Way (RoW) management; and reporting any accidental damage immediately to enable rapid response and mitigation.

Besides the Nigerian public is encouraged to report any act of fibre-optic infrastructure sabotage or damage to the nearest NSCDC Office or email to protect@ncc.gov.ng, cipu@nscdc.gov.ng or call 622 toll-free.

Telecoms and protection of fibre optic cables in digital ecosystem

Earlier, the NSCDC had alerted construction or engineering workers, stating that henceforth, they should conduct their activities with due consultation or collaboration with Mobile Network Operators’ (MNOs) and relevant regulators, including the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Corps.

Afolabi Babawale, Public Relations Officer (PRO) at NSCDC, in its statement issued February 1, 2026, in Abuja, had emphasised the strategic importance of protecting the West African country’s fibre optic cables and other CNII in the digital ecosystem.

Babawale said the avoidable negligence and damage of fibre cables, especially during road constructions and other related civil works would no longer be excused.

The NSCDC image maker further stated that the act of vandalism of communications infrastructure across Nigeria is a crime that attracts prosecution.

Citing the country’s Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015 that criminalised such negligence, Babawale noted: “Under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, telecommunication fibre infrastructure is classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure.

“Consequently, any damage resulting from unauthorised digging, construction activities, or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent damage during construction constitutes a criminal offence.”

He equally said the destruction of these fibre optic cables, either through negligence, lack of coordination or willful actions, poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability and public safety.

According to him, future damage to fibre optic infrastructure, caused by excavation, road construction or any civil engineering activity without due consultation or collaboration with network operators and relevant regulators would attract strict legal consequences.

The statement further noted: “Federal, State and Local Government agencies, road construction companies, utility service providers and private developers are to ensure full compliance by conducting pre-construction verification of fibre routes.

“Collaborating with the NCC, telecoms operators and NSCDC before and during construction; adhering to approved guidelines for excavation and Right-of-Way management will enable rapid response and mitigation.”

Babawale said: “The public is encouraged to report any act of fibre optic infrastructure sabotage or damage to the nearest NSCDC Office or email- protect@ncc.gov.ng, cipu@nscdc.gov.ng or call 622 tollfree.”

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