Judiciary, NCC strengthen partnership to protect telecom infrastructure, enhance digital security

The Nigerian judiciary and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have pledged to deepen collaboration to protect telecommunications infrastructure, strengthen online safety and ensure Nigeria’s legal system keeps pace with the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

The commitment was made at the opening of the 2026 Workshop for Justices and Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, jointly organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the Nigerian Communications Commission in Lagos.

The two-day workshop brought together justices of the Supreme Court, judges of federal and state high courts, regulators and industry stakeholders under the theme, “Adjudicating in the Digital Era: The Judiciary’s Imperative in Connectivity, Infrastructure Protection and Online Safety.”

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said Nigeria’s digital transformation has accelerated significantly, with broadband penetration increasing from 47.7 per cent in 2025 to 54.3 per cent in 2026.

Represented by the NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, Maida disclosed that Nigerians consumed more than 1.42 million terabytes of data in March 2026 alone, equivalent to over 15 million hours of high-definition video streaming daily.

He added that telecommunications operators invested more than $1 billion in network expansion last year, reflecting the industry’s growing contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.

Despite the progress, Maida warned that the sector continues to face serious threats from vandalism, fibre-optic cable cuts, equipment theft and deliberate sabotage.

He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has designated telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), underscoring the need for coordinated protection by all government agencies.

According to him, the NCC is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser and security agencies to dismantle criminal networks involved in telecom infrastructure vandalism.

The Commission has also introduced the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) to tackle SIM card fraud, identity theft and number recycling.

Maida disclosed that the NCC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria to strengthen efforts against electronic fraud and plans to extend similar partnerships to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and other relevant institutions.

Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, said the judiciary must continually adapt to emerging legal issues arising from the country’s expanding digital ecosystem.

Represented by Musa Saulawa, the Chief Justice observed that governance, commerce, financial services, education and social interactions now depend heavily on digital connectivity, creating new legal questions around regulation, accountability, privacy rights and institutional responsibility.

She noted that Nigerian courts are increasingly handling cases involving cybercrime, privacy breaches, online misinformation and the protection of critical digital infrastructure.

According to the Chief Justice, judicial officers must strike a careful balance between protecting freedom of expression and safeguarding public safety, privacy and national security.

Drawing comparisons with legal developments in the United Kingdom, India and the European Union, she stressed that Nigerian courts must remain proactive in developing jurisprudence capable of supporting the country’s transition into a secure and inclusive digital economy.