By Queen Kunde
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to protecting telecom infrastructure across the country, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order officially declaring all telecom assets as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
The Commission said it has commenced full implementation of the directive, which criminalizes vandalism, tampering, and obstruction of telecom facilities. The move comes amid increasing cases of cable theft, generator removal, and community interference that have continued to disrupt network quality for millions of Nigerians.
Speaking on behalf of the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, during a courtesy visit by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council to the NCC headquarters in Abuja, the Commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, said the Executive Order signed by President Tinubu on June 24, 2024, empowers the Commission to act decisively.
“Telecom infrastructure is now recognized as critical national infrastructure,” Ukoha said. “This means anyone caught vandalizing or obstructing operations at these sites will face prosecution.”
Ukoha outlined three key threats to telecom operations: vandalism and theft of equipment, denial of access to telecom sites by local communities and touts, and damage from road construction activities. She revealed that the Commission has embarked on a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public on the importance of safeguarding telecom facilities.
Responding to concerns about unexplained data usage, Ukoha debunked the notion that networks “steal” data. She attributed high consumption rates to background app activity, automatic updates, and hotspot misuse, advising consumers to manage their devices more consciously.
She praised journalists for their role in public enlightenment and called for deeper collaboration between the Commission and the media to promote digital literacy and accurate information sharing.
Also speaking, Mallam Yakubu Musa, NCC’s Head of Corporate Communications, reinforced the Commission’s partnership with the media, acknowledging their role in consumer education and policy support.
In her remarks, NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, lauded the NCC’s regulatory leadership and expressed the Union’s interest in partnering on training, affordable internet access for journalists, and public awareness campaigns. She also requested support for the NUJ FCT Press Week and ongoing capacity-building initiatives.
As Nigeria accelerates infrastructure development nationwide, the NCC says it is engaging stakeholders to reduce accidental damage to telecom assets and strengthen service delivery under the new legal framework.
With the Executive Order now in force, telecom vandals and saboteurs may soon face the full weight of the law as the NCC tightens security around Nigeria’s digital lifelines.
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