NCC and NSA Call for Public Support to Protect Nigeria’s Telecom Infrastructure

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has urged Nigerians to play an active role in safeguarding telecommunications infrastructure, stressing that service disruptions could have serious consequences for the nation’s economy and security.

The call came on Wednesday after both agencies intervened to avert a strike by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA). The planned industrial action, linked to fuel supply challenges, threatened to cut off diesel deliveries to thousands of telecom base stations nationwide. Many of these facilities rely heavily on generators due to Nigeria’s unreliable electricity grid.

According to industry reports, without diesel supply, mobile network operators would be unable to power base stations, leading to widespread outages in voice and data services.

National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, emphasised the critical role telecoms play in Nigeria’s digital economy, noting:

“Telecommunications infrastructure is the backbone of our connectivity and digital transformation. Any disruption has far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability, and national security.”

The NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enforcing technical standards and collaborating with security agencies, industry players, and the public to protect telecom facilities. He urged citizens to treat telecom assets as shared national resources powering essential services such as business transactions, healthcare, and education.

“This resolution highlights the importance of mediation and dialogue in preventing avoidable disruptions,” Maida said. “We call on all Nigerians to see telecom infrastructure as a shared national asset that underpins our ability to connect, trade, learn, and access vital services in the global digital economy.”

Nigeria’s $75 billion telecom sector consumes over 40 million litres of diesel monthly to sustain operations, according to the GSMA and NCC. However, operators are increasingly investing in hybrid energy systems, combining solar and battery storage, which could reduce operational costs by up to 50% while lowering carbon emissions.

With the sector serving as the backbone of Nigeria’s connectivity, the NCC and NSA are reinforcing that protecting telecom infrastructure is not just the responsibility of regulators and operators—it is a collective national duty.

Punch