The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has initiated the development of a robust cybersecurity framework to protect the country’s communications infrastructure, recognized as critical to national security.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, represented by Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, explained that this initiative forms part of the NCC’s broader strategy to enhance Nigeria’s digital resilience and secure its expanding digital economy during a Cybersecurity Framework Development Regulatory Meeting in Lagos.
Highlighting the telecom sector’s vital role in supporting financial systems, governance, healthcare, and education, Maida underscored the urgency of addressing growing global cyber threats.
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He highlighted the impressive maturation of Nigeria’s telecom sector, which has grown from fewer than half a million connected lines in 2001 to over 172 million active subscribers today, with internet users exceeding 141 million, emphasizing the need for a strong cybersecurity posture to safeguard networks, data, and the millions of Nigerians who depend on digital services daily.
Maida added that the most notable cyber threats have been malware, ransomware, and phishing, which are constantly evolving. According to him, government infrastructure, forming the core of Nigeria’s critical national information infrastructure, remains a prime target for cybercriminals and hostile actors.
“To counter these growing dangers, the NCC initiated the framework’s development with clear objectives. Some of the objectives are to foster a unified and resilient cybersecurity posture across the industry, enhance the protection of telecom infrastructure, shield consumer data and privacy, and align with both the National Cybersecurity Strategy and international best practices. The framework also aims to build industry-wide expertise to anticipate, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents, while proactively identifying and mitigating future risks,” said Maida.
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In support of this, the Cybercrime Prevention Procedures Act of 2015 and the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2003 now mandate robust cybersecurity measures for critical sectors like telecommunications.
Referencing reports from the United Nations Economic Committee for Africa, Maida highlighted that a 10% increase in cybersecurity maturity could lead to substantial gross domestic product (GDP) growth per capita across the continent.
The forthcoming framework will outline clear security guidelines, promote industry best practices, and encourage collaboration between government bodies, telecom operators, and international partners to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
This strategic move supports Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy and reaffirms the NCC’s position as a key player in strengthening the country’s digital security landscape.
