The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has declared a renewed and stringent commitment to safeguarding telecommunications infrastructure nationwide, assuring Nigerians of significantly improved service quality in the coming months.
The move comes amidst growing concerns over the impact of infrastructure damage, particularly frequent fibre optic cable cuts, on the quality of service across the country.
Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCC, Aminu Maida, stated this in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Dr. Maida, represented by Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Director of Public Affairs of the Commission, said that there would be “no more mercy for vandals of critical national infrastructure.”
He emphasized that culprits would face full prosecution under the law, with the Commission planning to “name and shame” individuals responsible for fiber optic cable theft and other acts of sabotage.
This intensified effort comes on the heels of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order in August 2024, which officially designated telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). This classification provides a robust legal framework, making damage to these assets a matter of national security.
Dr. Maida highlighted the alarming frequency of disruptions, citing over 147 fiber cuts recorded between May 21st and 31st alone, which severely impacted service delivery across various regions.
He stressed that reliable telecommunications are fundamental to national security, economic development, and social welfare.
The EVC also reaffirmed the NCC’s alignment with the national framework on Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“Telecom infrastructure is critical to national security and economic growth. Any individual or group found disrupting it will face the full weight of the law,” he warned.
The NCC reassured the public of its continued commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement, particularly in providing accurate information on tariffs and industry standards.
“It is not the public’s responsibility to monitor operator pricing. That’s our mandate,” Dr. Maida concluded. “We remain open to collaboration and will continue to share reliable data on telecom tariffs and performance metrics.”
To combat these challenges, the NCC is implementing a multi-pronged strategy which include:
Aggressive Prosecution: Collaborating closely with security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to apprehend and prosecute vandals under the provisions of the Critical National Infrastructure Protection Bill.
Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening engagements with state governments, including the Nigerian Governors Forum, and the Federal Ministry of Works, to address Right of Way (RoW) issues and prevent damage during road construction. A Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed soon to formalize this collaboration.
Community Engagement: Mobilizing local communities through NCC Zonal Offices to foster vigilance and encourage the prompt reporting of suspicious activities around telecom facilities.
On the front of service quality, Dr. Maida assured the public that recent tariff adjustments for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are a strategic move to enable operators to recover from significant foreign exchange challenges and reinvest in their networks.
He projected a substantial increase in industry investments in 2025, surpassing levels seen in the past two years, which is expected to translate into better service.
The NCC is also leveraging new Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations, introduced in 2024, which establish stringent Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and provide for significant penalties for non-compliance. The Commission is moving towards a data-driven approach, collecting granular, localized data to precisely pinpoint areas of poor service and enforce targeted improvements.
“We expect Nigerians to begin experiencing improved quality of telecom services in about two months’ time,” Dr. Maida affirmed, underscoring the NCC’s unwavering commitment to a resilient, efficient, and consumer-centric telecommunications sector.