CNII: NCC advocates network protection, resilience and sustainability to attain $1trn economy

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, the Nigerian Communications Commission, at a recent conference in Lagos, emphasises the strategic significance of robust information infrastructure, network resilience, to achieve the current administration’s target of attaining $1 trillion economy

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

For a sustainable digital economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasised the strategic importance of robust information infrastructure coupled with telecoms network resilience to achieve the current administration’s target of $1 trillion economy.

ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) stated this in his address at the recent 2025 Finance and Business Online Publishers (FiBOP) Conference, held in Lagos.

The theme of FiBOP’s conference is: “Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) and Building Industry Resilience”.

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Dr. Maida, represented on the occasion by Babatunde Apeji, in a paper presentation outlined a five-pronged strategy to realise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s target in this regard.

The EVC/CEO of NCC also noted that protection of the CNII alone is not enough but that Nigeria must aim for network resilience, in which systems could withstand disruptions and recover swiftly in the digital ecosystem.

The NCC Executive Vice-Chairman reiterated that the telecoms sector regulatory Commission commitment to safeguarding the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), describing it as central to Nigeria’s quest for a $1 trillion economy.

Maida: We can safeguard Nigeria’s digital foundation, power $1 trillion economy

In underscoring the essence of moving form protecting the CNII in Nigeria, Maida said the country’s digital infrastructure constitute the invisible backbone driving every sector of the economy, from banking and trade to education and national security.

The NCC Chief stated: “When we talk about a $1 trillion economy, we often mention oil, agriculture, or manufacturing. But the real backbone of all these sectors today is our digital infrastructure.”

He asserted: “Protecting CNII is not just about keeping the Internet on; it is about securing the nation’s economic future.

“Together, we can safeguard Nigeria’s digital foundation and power the trillion-Dollar economy we all envision.”

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As regards telecoms contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Maida disclosed telecommunications currently contributes over 15 percent to Nigeria’s GDP, and this development has underscored its pivotal role in national development.

According to him, despite this contribution to the national economy, the EVC/CEO of the Commission, however, cautioned the industry stakeholders to note that the sector remains under threat. According to him, the sector regulator recorded over 26,000 incidents of fibre cuts, vandalism, and theft across the major telecoms operators between January and August 2025.

Maida further explained that such attacks, coupled with cyber intrusions and ransomware threats, pose a serious risk to the economy and must be confronted decisively.

Dr. Maida also said that the NCC had adopted to protect CNII in respect of regulation and enforcement, public awareness, collaboration with security and government agencies, stakeholder mediation, and when necessary, deployment of security forces to deter vandalism and sabotage within the telecommunications space.

He equally referenced how the telecoms infrastructure has been formally designated as national security assets under President Tinubu’s directive, and the provisions of the Cybersecurity Act.

Commission harps on importance of network resilience, sustainability

In respect of vulnerabilities, crises, and natural disasters in the industry, Dr. Maida averred that beyond protection, the Commission is shifting its focus to resilience in order to ensure that telecoms networks could withstand and recover swiftly from disruptions.

He highlighted the NCC’s five-pronged strategy, partnerships, and cybersecurity initiatives aimed at securing the country’s digital backbone.

According to him, such regulatory extant measures to ensure resilience include implementing disaster recovery guidelines, establishing a Sectoral Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), and developing a comprehensive Cybersecurity Framework for the Nigerian telecoms industry.

He as well disclosed the NCC is currently implementing strategic frameworks, including Telecoms Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Guidelines to ensure preparedness and consumer protection during crises.

Another is the CSIRT, and an upcoming Cybersecurity Framework for the Telecoms Industry, which are all designed to anticipate and mitigate threats in telecommunications.

Creation of Major Network Outage Portal, where operators report significant service disruptions for prompt response and consumer accountability.

Establishment of Enhanced Infrastructure Standards that requires stronger tower designs, redundant power systems, and solar backup in rural areas to maintain connectivity.

Maida, nonetheless, said that achieving true network resilience requires collaborations beyond the telecoms industry in the country.

He revealed the NCC is partnering with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in order to secure mobile banking and cashless transactions.

Similarly, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) are to enhance power reliability for telecoms sites.

Still, state governments and local communities are being enlisted to secure fibre and tower sites in their areas under the CNII Presidential Order.

Aside from these stakeholders, Maida stated the Commission is also promoting redundancy by design, encouraging multiple fibre routes and stronger Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) to ensure that no single network failure could cripple the entire national connectivity.

Responsibilities of government, MNOs, telecoms consumers and other stakeholders

Urging all Nigerians to rise to the occasion and protect the critical information assets, Dr. Maida said all stakeholders, including the government, operators, security agencies, and citizens should unite in safeguarding the country’s digital assets.

He averred: “Government must prioritise CNII in national infrastructure planning. Security agencies must treat telecom facilities with the same urgency as oil and power assets.

“Operators must invest in redundancy and cross-sector cooperation. And communities must view telecoms masts and cables as lifelines, not targets.”

The EVC/CEO of the Commission assured that in partnership with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and support of the World Bank at a two-day Business Roundtable on improving broadband investment and securing CNII, the country is marking a pivotal step in fostering shared responsibility for national digital growth.

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