Nigerian Communications Commission moves to protect telecom infrastructure

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is implementing new measures to protect telecommunications infrastructure from vandalism, theft, and sabotage. These efforts aim to safeguard billions of naira in investments and ensure network resilience against recurring issues such as fiber cuts, diesel theft, and damage to base transceiver stations.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman Maida emphasized that protecting these facilities is critical for Nigeria’s socio-economic stability, supporting sectors like banking, e-governance, and emergency services. The Commission plans to collaborate with security agencies, state governments, and local communities to establish better monitoring and rapid response mechanisms.

Simultaneously, the NCC is highlighting the need for sustained investment to meet rising data demands. Nigeria’s data consumption rose nearly 47% year-on-year, reaching approximately 1.6 million terabytes in July. To address connectivity gaps and uneven network performance, the Commission is advocating for increased private investment and the use of data-driven intelligence to identify underserved areas.