Telecom experts call for urgent measures to protect Nigeria’s critical infrastructure

Industry leaders have outlined crucial steps to safeguard Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure and ensure sustained investment in the sector.

While acknowledging the importance of the Executive Order on the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), experts emphasized that internal inefficiencies and regulatory gaps must first be addressed for lasting security.

Speaking at the 7th Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) Summit on CNII implementation, held on Thursday in Lagos, stakeholders raised concerns about issues such as vandalism, unauthorized installations, and cable theft—calling for immediate action to mitigate these threats.

Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), stressed the need for proper maintenance and secure installations to curb infrastructure theft and destruction.

“When properly installed, components like manhole covers and poles are difficult to steal. However, negligence in securing them makes theft rampant,” he stated.

He also noted that strained relationships between telecom companies and local communities have led to resistance against infrastructure projects.

Some communities, he said, have blocked access to telecom sites due to unresolved disputes over damages caused by contractors.

“A diesel supplier was prevented from entering an estate because a previous contractor had damaged their property and failed to make repairs. This lack of accountability delays critical projects and fosters distrust,” Adebayo explained.

To address this, he urged telecom companies to engage with local communities proactively, ensuring accountability and conflict resolution before projects commence.

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Adebayo also highlighted the issue of unapproved telecom infrastructure, which often leads to destruction during government construction projects.

“When infrastructure is not registered in official records, road construction teams unknowingly damage it. Proper approvals and collaboration with government agencies will ensure accountability and long-term protection,” he noted.

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Echoing these concerns, Tony Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), stressed the need for improved industry coordination and standardization.

He pointed out that Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure challenges extend beyond technical issues to environmental and moral concerns.

“We are facing a moral crisis as well. One engineer who switched from diesel to gas generators later discovered that workers had started stealing engine oil instead. These issues require both technical and ethical solutions,” Emoekpere stated.

He emphasized that Nigeria has solid policies, such as local content regulations, but struggles with enforcement. “We must move beyond policy discussions and focus on actionable steps, follow-ups, and implementation,” he urged.

The growing menace of cable theft was underscored by Wale Owoeye, CEO of Cedarview Communications Limited. He revealed that network disruptions due to vandalism have become a significant financial and operational burden.

“Airtel representatives reported experiencing a cable cut every six minutes. The assumption that all black cables contain valuable copper leads to indiscriminate vandalism,” he explained.

To combat the problem, Owoeye proposed three key approaches: reorientation, stricter enforcement, and proactive measures.

As a proactive measure, Owoeye suggested creating a dedicated fund to support advocacy campaigns against vandalism. To kickstart the initiative, he pledged N500,000 quarterly and urged other industry players to contribute.

“This is like planting a seed. With collective effort, we can grow it into a sustainable solution for protecting Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure,” he said.

The industry leaders collectively stressed that safeguarding telecom infrastructure requires a joint effort between government agencies, private sector players, and local communities.

They called for enhanced policy enforcement, stakeholder engagement, and practical solutions to ensure long-term sustainability.

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