Industry leaders have underscored the urgent need to implement strategic measures to secure Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure and safeguard investments in the sector.
Speaking at the 7th Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) Summit on Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) implementation held in Lagos on Thursday, the stakeholders emphasized that while the Executive Order on the Designation and Protection of CNII is crucial; it cannot singlehandedly guarantee infrastructure safety unless internal operational and standardization issues within the industry are addressed.
The forum highlighted pressing concerns such as infrastructure vandalism, unauthorized installations, and cable theft, all of which pose significant threats to the industry’s sustainability.
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), stressed the importance of proper infrastructure maintenance and installation in preventing vandalism and theft.
He cited instances of stolen manhole covers and poles, attributing such occurrences to poor maintenance practices.
“When properly installed, these components are difficult to remove. However, due to negligence, they are often left unsecured, making them easy targets for theft,” Adebayo noted.
“Government agencies often damage unregistered infrastructure simply because they were not documented in official records. Proper approvals and collaboration with authorities will ensure accountability and protection of critical infrastructure,” he emphasized.
Echoing Adebayo’s concerns, Tony Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), stressed the importance of standardization and better coordination among stakeholders.
He noted that Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges extend beyond technical issues to environmental and moral concerns.