The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on Nigerian students to support efforts to protect telecommunications infrastructure, warning that vandalism and theft of critical network facilities continue to undermine service delivery and the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The appeal was made by Aminu Maida,the executive vice chairman and CEO of the NCC, during a courtesy visit by the newly elected leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by Nnenna Ukoha,the director of Public Affairs, Maida described telecommunications infrastructure as critical national assets that underpin education, innovation, business activities and digital connectivity across the country.
He urged the student body to champion public awareness campaigns on the need to safeguard telecom facilities located within and outside educational institutions, stressing that protecting such infrastructure is a shared national responsibility.
“Telecommunications infrastructure remains the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy and plays a crucial role in learning, research, innovation and communication. Students can support national efforts aimed at protecting telecommunications infrastructure through awareness and responsible civic engagement,” he said.
Maida identified vandalism of telecom facilities, theft of fibre optic cables and network equipment, deliberate destruction of infrastructure and persistent right-of-way challenges as some of the major obstacles affecting the quality and reliability of telecommunications services nationwide.
He also encouraged the association to participate actively in the Commission’s stakeholder engagement activities, including public consultations on regulatory and consumer-related policies, to ensure that the interests of Nigerian students are reflected in policy formulation.
Maida further highlighted several initiatives being implemented by the Commission to expand digital inclusion and create opportunities for young Nigerians.
According to him, the initiatives include the deployment of digital infrastructure through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), the establishment of Digital Parks in tertiary institutions and programmes designed to support digital learning and innovation.
He disclosed that the Commission is currently consulting stakeholders on a framework that could allow students and other users to access approved educational platforms without incurring data charges under specified conditions.
“The Commission is currently consulting stakeholders on a proposed framework that may enable access to certain approved educational platforms under specific conditions without data charges,” he said.
On consumer protection, Maida reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to protecting telecom consumers and encouraged students to take advantage of the Commission’s consumer education resources to better understand data management, consumer rights and available complaint resolution channels.
The EVC congratulated the newly elected President of NANS, Akinteye Babatunde, and members of the association’s executive council, expressing confidence that the new leadership would build on the existing partnership between the Commission and the student body.
Responding, Akinteye commended the NCC for sustaining constructive engagement with the student body over the years and pledged the association’s continued support for initiatives that promote dialogue, responsible advocacy and national development.
He also acknowledged the Commission’s openness to stakeholder engagement, describing it as instrumental in encouraging peaceful and constructive participation by students in national issues
