Telcos have again called on the Federal Government to safeguard Nigeria’s telecoms infrastructure, seen as a critical growth engine of the economy, from pressing challenges.
Key stakeholders in the Nigerian telecoms sector, comprising network operators, infrastructure services and industry associations, have said that the Federal Government should protect the industry’s infrastructure from cyber threats, theft, and vandalism.
Telecoms contributed 14.58% to Nigeria’s GDP, remains key growth engine for economy
The Nigerian telecoms market now accounts for 219,304,281 phone lines and 164,368,292 internet connections as of Q1 2024, accounted for 14.58% contributions to Nigeria’s GDP during the same period, according to official information by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“As we shape strategies for protecting Nigeria’s digital backbone, let us also focus on strengthening the ecosystem that drives national security and digital growth. Together, we can build a more secure, sustainable, and connected future for Nigeria.
Dapo Otunla, Senior Vice President/Chief Corporate Services Officer, HIS Towers.
“Our mission-critical communications infrastructure supports mobile network operators in providing wireless voice and data services to over 770 million people globally, driving national digital agendas and economic development,” Otunla says.
Following the designation of telecoms as Critical National Infrastructure, the stakeholders that included IHS Towers, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, and NCC, want the government to take over the security of telecoms infrastructure, in a statement made available to Technology Times.
They stated that this action will resolve several issues encountered with sub-nationals regarding cable installations to enhance internet connectivity.
The stakeholders spoke during a panel session, titled, ‘Protecting Critical National Infrastructure: Securing Nigeria’s Telecommunications Sector for Sustainable Growth’, at the just concluded 30th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.
Dapo Otunla, Senior Vice President/Chief Corporate Services Officer, HIS, explains that it became critical to strengthen core infrastructure driving Nigeria’s digital economy by safeguarding the country’s telecoms infrastructure.
Protecting telecoms assets was vital to achieving the digital economy targets of the current administration and called for collaborative solutions for safeguarding these critical assets from vandalism, theft, and cyber attacks, according to IHS Senior Vice President/Chief Corporate Services Officer.
“By working together,” Otunla says, “we can develop a robust Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan to secure the future of our telecommunications infrastructure” while adding that IHS was proud to be at the forefront of the drive.
“As we shape strategies for protecting Nigeria’s digital backbone, let us also focus on strengthening the ecosystem that drives national security and digital growth. Together, we can build a more secure, sustainable, and connected future for Nigeria.
“Our mission-critical communications infrastructure supports mobile network operators in providing wireless voice and data services to over 770 million people globally, driving national digital agendas and economic development,” Otunla says.
On his part, Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON Chairman hailed the Federal Government for signing an executive order designating communication infrastructure as CNI, adding that the telecoms industry appreciates the impact this will have on the sector.
While the issuance of the order was a significant step, ALTON says that the objectives intended by the order would be undermined without the development and implementation of a comprehensive protection plan as stipulated.
“Our collective national web,” according to Adebayo, “is anchored on secure and resilient telecommunications infrastructure. Hence, the need for an efficient CNIPP cannot be overstated.”
He called for the creation of a secure, centralised, and up-to-date database of all physical telecoms infrastructure operated by telecoms companies and service providers.
Over the years, stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT sector have been calling on the government to designate telecom infrastructure as a critical national asset to address the persistent attacks on infrastructure across the country.
They observed that in 2023 alone, MTN Nigeria reported suffering more than 6,000 cuts on its fibre cable. The operator relocated 2,500 kilometres of vulnerable fibre cables between 2022 and 2023 at a cost exceeding ₦11billion which was estimated to be enough to build 870 kilometres of new fibre lines in areas without coverage.
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