The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have successfully dismantled a cartel responsible for widespread vandalisation of telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The move, part of a coordinated effort to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), marks significant progress in curbing fibre cuts, equipment theft, and other disruptions undermining Nigeria’s digital economy.
Announcing the breakthrough at a Business Roundtable on Improving Investment in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure in Abuja, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida said the joint initiative is already yielding results.
Despite the progress, Dr. Maida lamented that between January and October 2024, the sector recorded over 20,000 fibre cuts, 4,000 equipment thefts, and more than 20,000 cases of restricted access to infrastructure sites. He stressed the need for community participation to protect national assets and ensure network stability.
To strengthen enforcement, the NCC is partnering with the NSCDC and the judiciary to expedite prosecution of offenders involved in infrastructure vandalism and fibre cuts.
Dr. Maida also revealed that the telecom sector had attracted an additional $1 billion in investments from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), boosting broadband expansion efforts. Broadband penetration now stands at 48.8%, with more than 140 million Nigerians having internet access.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, represented by Malam Ali Mohammed, disclosed that 20 states have accessed the $750 million Federal Government/World Bank fund aimed at improving the business environment and addressing infrastructure deficits, particularly in digital connectivity.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and supporting the ICT sector’s growing contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, announced that 19 states have waived the Right of Way (RoW) levy of ₦145 per linear meter for fibre optic cables to encourage broadband deployment.
Similarly, Katsina State Governor Umar Dikko Radda said his state has established a Community-Level Committee to safeguard critical national assets in all 360 wards, alongside major investments in digital innovation and youth empowerment initiatives.
Dr. Maida called on all states to adopt zero RoW charges and streamline approval processes to accelerate broadband growth.
He emphasized that while Nigeria has built over 40,000 km of fibre optic infrastructure, only about 10% of its capacity is currently being utilized due to connectivity bottlenecks.
Reaffirming the Commission’s vision, Maida noted:
“Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister Bosun Tijani, Nigeria is pursuing the targets of the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025) — to achieve 70% broadband penetration and 90,000 km of fibre optic backbone by the end of 2025.”
He added that the NCC remains committed to driving broadband expansion, strengthening regulation, and protecting telecom infrastructure, despite prevailing challenges in the sector.
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