NCC Unveils New Measures To Protect Critical Digital Infrastructure Amid Rising Vandalism

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has rolled out new measures to bolster the protection of critical digital infrastructure, in line with a presidential directive to safeguard assets essential to the nation’s economy and security.

Telecommunications firms have faced a surge in vandalism since May 2025, with major operators such as MTN, Airtel, Glo, and tower companies including IHS Towers among the hardest hit.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, said the initiative is designed to ensure the resilience of telecommunications and other digital infrastructure against cyberattacks, vandalism, and natural disasters.

“Protecting our critical information infrastructure is not just a regulatory mandate but a national security priority,” Maida stated after a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

He added, “We are working closely with operators, security agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure proactive risk management, rapid incident response, and improved resilience.”

Industry data shows operators have reported an average of five vandalism incidents daily since May, compared to two per day previously, amounting to 445 cases within 88 days. Affected regions include Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Edo, Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Lagos, Kogi, Ekiti, Osun, Imo, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The NCC highlighted telecom base stations, data centres, undersea cable landing stations, and other core network components as critical assets requiring reinforced protection.

Stakeholders at the Abuja meeting welcomed the plan, pointing to repeated fibre cuts, equipment theft, and sabotage that continue to disrupt connectivity nationwide.

The initiative aligns with the President’s earlier directive that government agencies adopt the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy, which emphasises the protection of critical information infrastructure.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria has also renewed calls for urgent measures, including stronger involvement of security agencies and adoption of the Critical National Infrastructure Act to safeguard telecom facilities.