NCC highlights significance of designating telecoms as CNII for economic stability

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has highlighted the significance of the Federal Government’s recent designation of the telecommunications sector of the economy as one of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) in the country.

Nigerian Government’s latest move has been described as “a major step” towards securing the West African country’s communications and digital infrastructure.

Critical National Information Infrastructure refers to “interconnected systems; networks that are indispensable for the functioning of the country’s economy, security, public health, and general safety of the people.

Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, stressed this much when delivering the Keynote Address at the recent launch of the Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Workshop, held in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in Abuja, FCT.

The National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) under the Office of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), organised the workshop.

Maida stated that the workshop series on the need to adequately safeguard the Nigerian CNII would “drive the urgent implementation of the CNII Executive Order”, which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed recently.

In his remarks on the CNII Executive Order and subsequent launch of the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Workshop, the EVC/CEO of the Commission also said: “As the telecoms regulator, we’re encouraged by this Order and express our gratitude to His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu and Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, for their dedication to protecting our nation’s critical information infrastructure and supporting economic stability.”

Underlining the essence of protecting the CNII, Maida further noted the telecoms industry faces significant challenges, including frequent fibre cuts, vandalism, and theft, which cost operators billions of Naira in revenue and billions of Naira in repair expenses.

He further stated in his Keynote Address: “Additionally, restricted access to telecoms facilities by property owners and government entities hampers network expansion efforts, limiting connectivity and impacting service quality.

“With this Executive Order, we now have a framework to address these issues collaboratively.”

In regard to how the Commission would implement the said framework to address the CNII-related issues, the NCC Executive Vice-Chairman assured: “We will prioritise raising awareness and strengthening partnerships with stakeholders to safeguard our national assets and ensure resilient, secure communications for all Nigerians.”

Maida stated: “For the telecoms industry, the Executive Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure is a dream come true, that provides a long-awaited remedy to challenges of fibre cuts during construction, vandalism, theft of vital equipment and denial of access to telecoms facilities.”