The Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has said that vandals of Critical National Information Infrastructure, CNII, across Nigeria do not go scot-free.
The Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, made this known to journalists at a media engagement in Abuja on Thursday.
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu signed the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order 2024, aimed at protecting these critical systems from cyberattacks and other disruptions.
Maida, represented by Mrs Nnena Ukoha, Deputy Director and Head, Corporate Communications Management, Public Affairs Department, said the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Act contains provisions for prosecution, and that the operationalisation of CNII falls under the purview of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He warned, “Anyone found liable for damaging or disrupting CNII will be prosecuted going forward.
“We are working with relevant agencies like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to tackle these problems and prosecute offenders.”;
Continuing, he said, “About two years ago, we noticed a situation where some of our key telecom operators were recording massive losses.
“Despite increasing revenues, they were struggling with heavy forex-related obligations that ate into their revenues. This led to poor quality of service.”;
He pointed out that with the recent tariff adjustment exercise, these operators are now back on the path to profitability.
He said, “As a result, they’re able to reinvest in their networks, which will lead to better quality of service and experience.
“We expect investments in the industry to increase significantly this year, more than what was seen in the last two years.
“The Nigerian telecoms industry has great promise, evident in its revenue growth and service delivery, despite the recent challenges.”;
The NCC boss underscored the importance of collaboration and information sharing between NCC and other stakeholders to address challenges in the telecoms industry.
Commenting further on the indispensable role of telecoms infrastructure in national security, he said, “We all know that telecoms infrastructure plays a vital role in national security due to increasing cyber threats and vulnerabilities that can damage and disrupt communication infrastructure.
“Telecommunication services are crucial for ensuring national security, particularly for addressing security issues that require effective communication.
“Without effective telecommunication, achieving national security would be impossible.
“Telecommunication also plays a vital role in public welfare, contributing to the growth of a digital society.
“It provides an enabling environment for socialisation and access to services. Without a robust telecommunication infrastructure, the public cannot fully enjoy the services provided.
“Furthermore, a stable telecommunication infrastructure is essential for every sector of the economy.”;
CNII refers to essential computer systems, networks, and communication infrastructures whose disruption or destruction would have a significant negative impact on the nation’s economy, security, public health, or general safety.
Earlier, NCC promised to ensure improved quality of service in the telecoms industry.
