Joy Agwunobi 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to the full implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), which designates telecommunications facilities as essential national assets requiring optimal protection.

The Commission, in a statement signed by Nnenna Ukoha, its head of public affairs, said the move follows the successful mediation efforts led by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the NCC, which resulted in the suspension of a planned strike by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA).

According to the Commission, the industrial action, if carried out, would have disrupted diesel supply to telecommunications sites across the country, a move that could have crippled operators’ ability to power diesel-driven generators and sustain uninterrupted network services.

In the days preceding the resolution, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, held strategic engagements with NOGASA leadership, with the NCC providing technical and regulatory input to underscore the potential impact of service disruptions on national security, the economy, and daily socio-economic activities. The discussions culminated in an agreement to call off the strike, averting what could have been a nationwide outage of telecom services.

“Telecommunications infrastructure is the backbone of our connectivity and digital economy,” Ribadu said. “Any disruption — whether from vandalism, accidental damage during construction, theft of equipment, denial of access to maintenance teams, or interruption in the supply of essential operational materials — has far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability, and national security.”

The Commission commended the ONSA for its leadership in safeguarding national assets and lauded the maturity and understanding displayed by stakeholders in recognising the strategic importance of telecommunications services.

Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the NCC, noted that the Commission would continue to enforce strict compliance with technical standards for the deployment and maintenance of telecom infrastructure, while working closely with stakeholders to promote awareness and cooperation in their protection.

“We also recognise mediation as an effective tool for building consensus among stakeholders,” Maida said. “This resolution underscores the importance of dialogue in preventing avoidable service disruptions. Ultimately, we call on all Nigerians to regard telecom infrastructure as a shared national asset — one that underpins our ability to connect with loved ones, transact business, access healthcare, pursue education, and participate in the global digital economy.”

The NCC reaffirmed its resolve to work with security agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public to ensure that Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure remains protected, resilient, and reliable for all.