NCC Warns Over 1,000 Weekly Fibre Cuts Threatening Nigeria’s Economic Stability and National Security
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has sounded an alarm over the widespread sabotage of telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria, reporting over 1,000 fiber optic cable cuts weekly alongside numerous thefts and access denials. Speaking at a Lagos stakeholders’ meeting, the NCC’s executive vice chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, highlighted that these persistent disruptions threaten Nigeria’s national security, public safety, and economic stability by compromising critical digital infrastructure.
Dr. Maida emphasized that telecom infrastructure forms the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, underpinning sectors such as banking, health, energy, and governance. He explained that many complaints about poor service quality stem not from operator negligence but from deliberate acts of vandalism and sabotage. The challenges are further compounded by cyberattacks, power instability, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and regional insecurity, creating a complex threat environment.
To combat these issues, the NCC has launched a multi-faceted security framework involving public awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of technical standards, and collaborations with security agencies. The commission is also working with the National Security Adviser’s office and legal bodies to reclassify telecom vandalism as economic sabotage, aiming to impose stronger legal consequences for perpetrators.
Industry stakeholders also voiced their concerns: Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), called for enhanced security measures including fencing and surveillance of telecom assets. Meanwhile, Chike Onwuegbuchi, president of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), advocated for urgent legislation criminalizing telecom vandalism and proposed the creation of a Telecom Security Trust Fund to finance protective initiatives.
Dr. Maida concluded with five key recommendations to safeguard telecom infrastructure: ongoing public education, formal multi-stakeholder collaboration, simplified permit procedures, improved real-time intelligence sharing, and harsher penalties for offenders. He stressed that vandalism of telecom assets amounts to economic treason, urging lawmakers to ensure the legal framework reflects the severity of these acts to protect Nigeria’s digital lifeline.
Source: Leadership