The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting critical telecom infrastructure, following President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order signed on June 24, 2024, which criminalizes the vandalism, theft, or obstruction of national assets, including telecommunications facilities. This decisive move comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with persistent sabotage of fibre optic cables, base stations, generators, and other telecom infrastructure that disrupt network services and threaten national connectivity.
During a courtesy visit by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, to the NCC headquarters in Abuja, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs and representative of the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasized the Commission’s readiness to implement the Executive Order. She noted that the NCC is actively raising public awareness on the significance of telecom infrastructure and its designation as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), reinforcing that any tampering now carries serious criminal implications.
Key operational challenges facing telecom operators were highlighted, including rampant vandalism and theft of equipment, denial of access to sites due to interference from local authorities and communities, and damage from road construction activities. These issues have caused network downtimes, service interruptions, and increased maintenance costs, affecting millions of Nigerian users and businesses.
Addressing consumer concerns about rapid data depletion, Ukoha debunked misconceptions of data theft by network providers. She explained that most data losses stem from users’ device settings, such as automatic updates, background app usage, and unauthorized hotspot sharing. She advised users to adopt data-saving habits, manage background data settings, regularly update passwords, and avoid auto-play features and high-resolution content downloads.
In a bid to prevent further damage to telecom assets, the NCC is engaging with stakeholders across the construction and energy sectors to improve coordination and minimize fibre cuts during nationwide infrastructure projects. Public education, law enforcement support, and multi-sectoral partnerships form a core part of the Commission’s strategy.
Mallam Yakubu Musa, Head of Corporate Communications at NCC, echoed the importance of media collaboration in amplifying consumer education and fostering transparency in the telecom industry. He lauded the media’s role as a bridge between regulators and the public.
NUJ FCT Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike, called for stronger collaboration between journalists and the NCC in areas such as training, digital access, public sensitization, and support for the Union’s upcoming Press Week. She also stressed the importance of equipping journalists with the necessary digital tools to effectively report in today’s tech-driven media landscape.
This initiative reinforces the Tinubu administration’s digital economy agenda by prioritizing infrastructure protection, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity, and creating an enabling environment for innovation and investment in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
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