Nigeria to strengthen telecom infrastructure protection
With Nigeria’s telecom networks facing daily sabotage, a new public-private alliance promises a bold shift in protecting the digital backbone of the nation.
The Nigerian government has taken decisive action to address the persistent problem of vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure by declaring telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). That designation aims to provide stronger legal protection and prioritise the security of telecom assets, which are vital to the country’s information and communication networks.
Building on this policy framework, IHS Nigeria has formed a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to operationalise these protections and enhance the security of telecom infrastructure nationwide. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both organisations will collaborate to develop and implement strategies designed to safeguard IHS Nigeria’s extensive assets, including over 16,000 telecom towers and more than 15,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables.
Under the partnership, the NSCDC will provide support in areas such as site surveillance, emergency response, incident reporting, and assistance with tower decommissioning. The agency will also take on responsibilities to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals involved in vandalism or theft of telecom infrastructure.
The collaboration is expected to create a safer environment for telecom operations, ultimately improving the resilience, reliability, and quality of connectivity services across Nigeria. Despite these efforts, vandalism remains a major challenge.
Airtel Nigeria and MTN Nigeria report 40 to 43 daily fibre cuts, many caused by theft and sabotage. The IHS Nigeria–NSCDC partnership is a crucial step to reduce these disruptions and protect critical telecom infrastructure.
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