How NCC Is Driving CNII Protection Under Aminu Maida – By AZUH AMATUS

In an era where digital networks form the backbone of national security, economic growth, and social interaction, the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) has never been more imperative.

Under the leadership of Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecommunications regulator has embarked on a robust and strategic campaign to safeguard Nigeria’s vital information and communications assets against physical damage, vandalism, cyber attacks and other disruptions that threaten the nation’s digital resilience.

At the heart of NCC’s recent efforts is the implementation of the Presidential Order on Designation and Protection of CNII, a legal instrument signed in June 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that formally classifies telecommunications infrastructure as critical to national interests.

This designation is far more than bureaucratic jargon, it transforms telecom networks, fibre optic cables, switching centres and related digital systems into assets whose tampering, destruction or disruption is a criminal offense.

The move acknowledges that Nigeria’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure underpins everything from financial systems and healthcare to governance, defense and even public safety.

Interestingly, under Maida’s stewardship, the NCC has been proactive in operationalizing this Presidential directive through several interlocking initiatives that strengthen CNII protection across sectors.

One of the first strategic steps has been comprehensive infrastructure mapping.

This is a process that identifies every key telecommunications asset nationwide, assesses vulnerabilities and establishes a baseline for monitoring and protection.

Parallel to asset mapping, NCC has equally developed a Strategic Protection Framework that outlines preventive measures, protocols for rapid response and resilience strategies to ensure continuity of service even in crisis scenarios.

These measures are designed to reduce the impact of vandalism, theft, natural disasters, and sabotage.

The framework dovetails with Nigeria’s broader National Cyber security Policy and Strategy, which calls for risk-based, co-ordinated efforts to secure CNII through public-private collaboration, information sharing and rapid threat mitigation.

Also, public awareness and stakeholder engagement are central to NCC’s approach. In partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the commission has launched nationwide campaigns to educate communities, telecom operators and local government entities about the critical role of CNII and the shared responsibility of protecting it.

These outreach efforts aim to build a culture where citizens and institutions alike view telecom assets not just as commercial utilities but as national lifelines that support everyday life and economic prosperity.

The urgency of these interventions cannot be overstated. Telecom infrastructure in Nigeria has been beset by frequent disruptions. From fibre cuts and vandalism to site access denial, thereby costing operators billions of naira and threatening service continuity.

Cerebral Maida has consistently highlighted these challenges in public forums and stakeholder meetings, positioning CNII protection not just as a regulatory tick-box but as an economic and security imperative.

Meanwhile, to further complement physical protection measures, NCC is also advancing cyber defense readiness by laying groundwork for a national cybersecurity framework tailored to the telecom sector.

This includes strengthening detection, prevention and response capacities against malware, denial-of-service attacks and other forms of cyber intrusion that could compromise CNII operations.

Moreover, recognizing that CNII protection transcends regulatory boundaries, NCC under Maida has deepened collaboration with sister agencies, industry operators and security partners.

Joint task forces, inter-agency coordination mechanisms and shared intelligence platforms are now part of an integrated architecture designed to respond swiftly to emerging threats.

Above all, the NCC’s bold CNII agenda reflects a broader strategic vision, one where Nigeria’s digital infrastructure is secure, resilient and primed to support the nation’s transition into a robust digital economy.

Sincerely speaking, by marrying regulatory rigour with stakeholder engagement and national security collaboration, Maida’s visionary leadership is reshaping how Nigeria values and protects its digital foundations, ensuring that CNII remains a source of strength rather than vulnerability in a competitive global landscape.

Photo caption: Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Azuh Amatus, a multiple-award-winning journalist and member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), is the publisher of leading online newspaper, DAYLIGHT and author of FAMOUS FACES…Interactions with Nollywood Stars and Stakeholders (1&2).