NCC boss, Maida reiterates commission’s commitment to presidential order on telecom infrastructure
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida has reiterated the commitment of the commission towards the implementation of the presidential order on telecommunication as critical national information asset.
In a keynote address by the NCC boss at the 2nd edition of the strategic stakeholders meeting of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, on Friday, Maida acknowledged that the transformation in the industry comes with a lot of challenges, stating that “this transformation brings with it a host of vulnerabilities: cyber-attacks, physical sabotage, climate-related disasters, and infrastructural duplication, among others.”
According to the NCC boss, “The digital transformation of Nigeria has accelerated over the past decade. From e-governance to digital financial services,telemedicine, education, and smart agriculture, the dependency on digital infrastructure continues to grow. However, this transformation brings with it a host of vulnerabilities: cyber-attacks, physical sabotage, climate-relateddisasters, and infrastructural duplication, among others.
“The consequences of these vulnerabilities are far-reaching. A disruption in our telecommunications network can stall emergency services, halt financial transactions, disrupt businesses, and affect national security. Thus, resilience is not a luxury—it is a national imperative.
“At the heart of our discussion is the Presidential Order of June 2024, which designates telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). CNII encompasses the interconnected systems and networks—telecommunications, data centers, and digital platforms—that power Nigeria’s economy, security, public health, and governance. These are the foundational pillars of our digital ecosystem, enabling critical sectors like finance, healthcare, energy, and education to thrive.”
Maida said the telecom towers, fibre optic networks, data centres constitute the digital lifelines of Nigeria’s economy, stating that any disruption to these assets could paralyse vital services—including emergency communications, financial transactions, and government operations.
“This designation is a landmark recognition of telecommunications as a cornerstone of national stability and digital sovereignty. With 171 million mobile subscribers and a tele density of 79.22% as of June 2025, our telecommunications sector is the backbone of digital inclusion, connecting Nigerians to education, economic opportunities, and essential services. The industry contributes over 14.4% to Nigeria’s GDP (as of Q4 2024) and underpins nearly all critical sectors—from banking, energy, and health to security, education, and governance. Yet, this infrastructure faces relentless threats. The Nigeria Cyber security Outlook Report by Deloitte highlights a surge in cyber threats in 2024, from ransomware to insider attacks.
“Physical disruptions, such as vandalism and theft, are equally alarming, with service providers reporting an average of 30 to 43 fibre cuts daily. These incidents erode service reliability, public trust, and economic stability.”
He emphasized the imperatives of the presidential order, stating that, “The Presidential Order is a clarion call to protect this vital infrastructure. It aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy(2020- 2030) and the Renewed Hope Agenda. A resilient CNII will foster citizen confidence, attract investment, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s most populous country,” he said.
On steps taken to ensure the activation of the order, Maida said NCC would be launching nationwide initiatives to educate communities and stakeholders on their shared responsibility to protect CNII.
He said the campaign would be delivered through radio jingles, social media, and other multimedia channels and “would aim to educate the public on how disruptions—whether due to vandalism, construction accidents, ornegligence—directly affect the quality of service, emergency communications, and everyday digital services relied upon by millions of Nigerians.”
He assured, “we are committed to ensuring that telecom infrastructure is viewed as a national asset deserving of collective protection.”
NCC boss, Maida reiterates commission’s commitment to presidential order on telecom infrastructure
