The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have jointly called on Nigerians to support efforts in protecting telecommunications infrastructure, warning that disruptions could jeopardise economic growth and national security.
This appeal comes after the two bodies intervened to prevent a planned strike by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, which would have halted diesel supplies to thousands of telecom sites nationwide. Many of these sites rely heavily on generators due to the country’s unstable power grid.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu stressed that telecom facilities are “the backbone of Nigeria’s connectivity and digital economy” and that any disruption could have “far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability, and national security.”
NCC Chief Executive Officer Aminu Maida reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to enforcing technical standards and working with security agencies, operators, and the public to safeguard these assets. He urged Nigerians to see the infrastructure as “a shared national asset” critical to communication, business, healthcare, and education.
Nigeria’s $75 billion telecom industry consumes over 40 million litres of diesel monthly to keep towers operational. Industry experts, including the NCC and GSMA, project that shifting to solar and battery storage could cut operational costs by up to 50% while reducing carbon emissions.
The NCC emphasised that mediation and stakeholder dialogue remain key to avoiding service disruptions, reinforcing the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding the nation’s communications network.
