ADVERTISEMENT
The Moment Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Life and Styles
  • Sport
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Life and Styles
  • Sport
No Result
View All Result
The Moment Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Life and Styles
  • Sport

Protecting Telecommunications Infrastructure: A National Imperative for Nigeria’s Digital Future

by Usman Kadri
December 23, 2024
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Protecting Telecommunications Infrastructure: A National Imperative for Nigeria’s Digital Future
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsappShare on LinkedIn

BY FEMI ADENIRAN

 

Imagine waking up one morning to find no internet, no mobile network, and no access to emergency services—all because a single fibre cable was carelessly severed during routine construction. This is not just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a reality that plays out daily across Nigeria, threatening the backbone of our digital economy and undermining national security.

RELATED STORIES

Osun is not the origin of Adire: A response to Mallam Rasheed’s justification of Governor Adeleke

Osun is not the origin of Adire: A response to Mallam Rasheed’s justification of Governor Adeleke

June 11, 2025
Tinubu’s bold reforms: How ‘Subsidy is Gone’ sparked Nigeria’s renewed Hope Agenda

Tinubu’s bold reforms: How ‘Subsidy is Gone’ sparked Nigeria’s renewed Hope Agenda

June 1, 2025

The Federal Government’s recent designation of telecommunications assets as critical national infrastructure is a landmark decision that underscores the strategic importance of connectivity in today’s Nigeria.

Telecommunications infrastructure is not just about phone calls or browsing the internet; it powers vital sectors like education, healthcare, banking, and public safety. In a world increasingly defined by digital transformation, the integrity of our telecom networks is as critical as our roads, bridges, and airports.

Yet, this critical infrastructure faces relentless threats. Fibre cuts—primarily caused by construction activities, vandalism, and a lack of coordination between stakeholders—have become an epidemic. On average, operators report multiple incidents daily, disrupting services to millions of Nigerians.  Airtel Nigeria alone records a daily average of 43 fibre cuts and in the last six months, a total of 7742. These interruptions not only inconvenience consumers but also hinder businesses, delay government operations, and compromise public safety, particularly in emergencies.

The dry season, while ideal for construction and public works, has exacerbated the problem. With an increase in road and building projects, the frequency of fibre cuts has spiked alarmingly. This trend jeopardizes Nigeria’s broadband penetration goals and the collective efforts to harness technology for economic growth and social inclusion.

This is therefore a clarion call to all stakeholders—government agencies, security agencies, construction companies, telecom operators, the media and civil society—to collaborate urgently in safeguarding Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure. Beyond policy declaration, there is a need to urgently move to practical actionable steps some of which are:

Stronger Enforcement and Coordination: Security Agencies and Regulatory bodies, must enforce stricter penalties for fibre damage while creating platforms for seamless coordination between construction companies and telecom operators.

Regulating and Monitoring the Operations of Construction Companies: Construction companies to be regulated and monitored to ensure they accord similar status to telecom assets as they do to assets of other utility companies.

Right-of-Way (RoW) Simplification: Streamlining the RoW process will ensure operators can bury cables securely and proactively plan for infrastructure protection in partnership with local governments.

Adoption of Technology: Leveraging geospatial mapping and real-time monitoring tools will enable better identification of high-risk zones and faster response to incidents.

Increased interest and Support from the Nigerian Media: Media stakeholders should support Public and private sector actors to drive targeted campaigns and public enlightenment on the importance of telecom infrastructure and the dire consequences of fibre cuts.

Nigeria’s digital economy is a critical pillar of our national development strategy. To achieve the ambitious targets of the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 and unlock the full potential of critical initiatives of the Federal Government like the 3 Million Technical Talents 3MTT which aims to train and find job placements for 3 million Nigerian youths (local and international) by 2027, the “Project 774” of the Federal Government of aimed at digitizing all the 774 local government offices across the country for efficiency, and private sector led developmental initiatives such as the Airtel-UNICEF Reimagine Education Project where Airtel Africa has committed $57m to connect children to digital learning across the 14 countries of its operations in Africa, with Nigeria taking the lead,  our telecommunications networks must be protected with the same rigor we reserve for our power grids, water systems, and transportation networks.

The time to act is now. Together, we can ensure that Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure remains resilient, reliable, and ready to power the future. Failure to act will cost us more than just dropped calls—it will jeopardize our journey to a truly connected nation.

Femi Adeniran is the Director, Corporate Communications& CSR at Airtel Nigeria.

Next Post
Nova Merchant Bank battles Onajite Okoloko's Midwestern Oil and Gas over N1.6bn debt

Court remands 2 youths for alleged identity theft, $150, 000 USD fraud

More Articles...

Buhari wasn’t in charge of his govt, says Senator

BREAKING: FG declares Tuesday Public Holiday to honour Buhari

July 14, 2025
BREAKING: Buhari’s burial postponed to Tuesday in Daura

BREAKING: Buhari’s burial postponed to Tuesday in Daura

July 14, 2025
LG launches ‘Radio Optimism’ campaign to spread ‘Life’s Good’ through music

LG launches ‘Radio Optimism’ campaign to spread ‘Life’s Good’ through music

July 14, 2025

Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona dies at 91

July 13, 2025
Buhari dies in London (see details)

Buhari dies in London (see details)

July 13, 2025
Lagos State League Super 4 to hold July 15 -18

Lagos State League Super 4 to hold July 15 -18

July 13, 2025

STANBIC IBTC ADVERT

About Us

Themomentng.com is an online community of reporters and social advocates dedicated to bringing you features, news reports by Africans, but from a global perspective.

Contact Us

+447771081433
+2348051966180(WhatsApp/SMS Only)
Email: themomentng@gmail.com

Categories

  • Business
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Events
  • Featured
  • Food
  • Foreign
  • Health
  • Interviews
  • Life and Styles
  • Metro
  • Motoring
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Religion
  • Society
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Top Story

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Copyright © Themomentng.com. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Life and Styles
  • Sport