NCC, connectivity and consumer sensitisation to protect telecoms infrastructure

*The Nigerian Communications Commission intensifies its consumer education and sensitisation drive to safeguard the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure, asserting ‘telecoms infrastructure is a lifeline’ that holds together all other sectors of the economy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As part of its continued consumer education and sensitisation campaign for protection of the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has asserted that telecoms infrastructure is a lifeline for effective and sustainable economy in the modern world.

The NCC, in the renewed campaign, has urged the public to protect telecoms infrastructure in view of the reported increasing wave of attacks, theft, damage, and destruction of critical communications assets in the West African country in recent times.

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of NCC (r), conversing with Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviserat, at a recent CNII forum at ONSA, in Abuja, FCT

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, August 2024, had signed and issued an Executive Order (EO) on Designation and Protection of CNII as a pressing need to protect Nigeria’s critical assets from vandalisation, theft, robbery, arson, and other dangers.

What consumers lose when telecoms infrastructure is damaged, by NCC

Underscoring the strategic importance of safeguarding the critical national information assets in Nigeria, the telecoms sector regulator enumerated what telecoms consumers lose in the event of damage to CNII.

The Commission emphasised that when such happens, “no calls – can’t reach loved ones in emergencies.”

It also stated: “No SMS – alerts and verifications blocked”, and “when there is No Internet – work, school, and business disrupted.”

Mobile Internet consumers

In regard to data management over the recent data depletion issues raised in the telecoms space, the NCC has continued to sensitise consumers with helpful tips.

In one of the latest public education initiatives through various digital platforms, the  Commission urged telecoms consumers: “Secure your data!”

It also said: “Prevent unauthorised access by changing your password & turning off your mobile hotspot regularly. Click https://consumer.ncc.gov.ng for more helpful tips.”

The regulatory Commission in a related message to telecoms consumers said: “Want to enjoy your data for longer? Then turn on data saver: go to settings, click on connections, data usage and then turn on data saver.

“Click https://consumer.ncc.gov.ng to learn more.”

Stressing the imperative need for collective support of all Nigerians for protection of critical communications assets, the NCC further said:

“Let’s protect telecoms infrastructure.”

Collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders for CNII protection

Earlier, in a bid to aggregate a collaborative effort at addressing any damage to the CNII, the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) sought to strengthen their collaborative partnership to protect telecoms infrastructure with a focus on a “Tower Enumeration Project” across the cosmopolitan state.

The emerging partnership between NCC and LASIMRA was also said to have come with a commitment to enforcing penalties and ensuring high-quality Internet access for telecoms consumers in the country’s entire digital ecosystem.

A LASIMRA’s delegation, in a follow-up on the partnership between the two organisations, had visited the NCC Corporate Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT.

The visit of LASIMRA’s team to the Commission equally marked a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between the industry regulators towards strengthening the telecoms sector and consumers’ Quality of Experience (QoE), particularly in Lagos State.

Still as part of the holistic effort of the Nigerian telecoms industry to safeguard the critical communication infrastructure, stakeholders earlier this year converged on Lagos for the 7th Edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo).

The stakeholders at the forum with the theme, “CNII: Strengthening Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure through Proactive Implementation and Strategic Coordination”, discussed a number of practical and efficient strategies to protect the estimated $75.6 billion CNII in Nigeria.

PIAFo said the critical stakeholder engagement on CNII protection aimed to facilitate “a comprehensive and inclusive approach” to implementing the Nigerian Government’s CNII Order, towards ensuring the long-term safety and growth of the telecoms sector.

Likewise, the NCC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in Oyo State, recently forged a strategic partnership to address the reported rising threat of vandalism of telecoms infrastructure in the South-West state.

The Management teams of the Commission and NOA have decided to  collaborate on addressing the burning issue of vandalism of communication assets at a meeting held April 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The meeting focused on addressing the economic and social impacts of infrastructure vandalism, which continues to disrupt communication networks and impede national development, according to reports.

Protection of telecoms assets is NCC’s priority, says Zonal Controller

Leading the NCC delegation to the stakeholder engagement in Ibadan, Dr. Olubunmi Banjoko, Zonal Controller of NCC, met with Dr. Olukemi Afolayan, NOA Director, in Oyo State, where both organisations agreed on a grassroots sensitisation campaign to safeguard the CNII across the “Pacesetter State”.

The telecoms regulator Commission emphasised the need to leverage NOA’s broad reach and public trust to raise awareness on the significance of safeguarding telecoms infrastructure.

Banjoko also highlighted the serious implications of vandalism of CNII.

She noted these include disruption of network services that affects both businesses and individual users; traffic congestion resulting from malfunctioning communication systems; economic setbacks due to productivity loss; and a breakdown in emergency response mechanisms.

The NCC representative said in order to address these challenges, the two Federal Government’s agencies outlined a joint response strategy to address the threat to communication infrastructure in Nigeria.

On the partnership between the two agencies, it is noted the NOA will spearhead public enlightenment campaigns and advocacy programmes, focusing on local communities where telecoms infrastructure are reportedly most vulnerable.

The two organisations equally agreed that new reporting mechanisms would be established, including a dedicated WhatsApp line, an Instagram page, and special shortcodes to encourage the public to report suspicious activities around the installed communications across Oyo State.

The NCC-NOA also is expected to enhance collaboration with security agencies to arrest and prosecute any individuals involved in the destruction of critical national assets.

Dr. Afolayan stated: “We have a broad mandate that covers all government agencies, and we will use our platforms to caution those attacking public infrastructure.”

He stated: “The security and protection of telecommunication infrastructure is a priority for the Nigerian Communications Commission, and we will work with all stakeholders to ensure it is safeguarded.”

‘Protect Nigeria’s telecoms infrastructure!’

The NCC had also activated an enlightenment campaign to sensitise Nigerian public about the collective efforts at safeguarding the CNII and other national assets with USSD messages to telecoms consumers’ mobile phones and others devices.

The Commission, in one of its recent consumer education and sensitisation short messages (SMS), stated: “Protect Nigeria’s telecoms infrastructure! They are critical national assets protected by law.

“Report vandalism to cniireport@ncc.gov.ng or dial 622. Let’s safeguard our future!”

Underlining the significance of protecting the national information infrastructure in Nigeria, the NCC further said in another Short Messaging Service (SMS) that “telecoms infrastructure is a national treasure! Let’s protect it together.”

The Nigerian telecoms sector regulator as well advised the general public to report damage or vandalism by dialling 622,  or sending an e-mail to cniireport@ncc.gov.ng.

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