The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to roll out a comprehensive cybersecurity framework aimed at strengthening the protection of Nigeria’s booming telecommunications industry against rising digital threats.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, revealed the initiative during a regulatory meeting held in Lagos on Wednesday. Represented by Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner of Technical Services, Dr. Maida highlighted the rapid growth of Nigeria’s telecom sector, from fewer than 500,000 lines in 2001 to over 172 million active subscribers and 141 million internet users today.
While this growth has fueled economic development and social inclusion, it has also made the sector a prime target for cybercriminals, particularly government infrastructure.
“To counter these growing dangers, the NCC is developing a national cybersecurity framework with clear objectives,” Dr. Maida said. “The framework will foster a unified and resilient cybersecurity posture across the industry, enhance protection of telecom infrastructure, safeguard consumer data and privacy, and align with Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Strategy as well as international best practices.”
The framework will establish minimum cybersecurity standards for telecom operators, including incident reporting protocols, risk management guidelines, and mechanisms for information sharing and collaboration with regulatory agencies. It will be guided by existing laws such as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2015 and the Nigerian Data Protection Act of 2023.
Abraham Oshadami emphasized that cybersecurity is no longer optional for telecom companies but a mandatory requirement. He noted the NCC’s commitment to engaging industry stakeholders to ensure the framework reflects real-world challenges and opportunities.
Experts also weighed in on the initiative. Dr. Kazeem Durodoye, CEO of Cybernovr, stressed the importance of considering emerging technologies like Open RAN, network virtualization, and the impact of artificial intelligence on cyber threats. He explained that the framework would categorize telecom licensees into different tiers, ensuring that companies handling critical data receive appropriate attention.
Babagana Digima, Chairman of the Committee on Development of the Cybersecurity Framework, highlighted the need for a baseline assessment to accurately understand the current cybersecurity landscape before implementing new safeguards. He assured that the NCC is dedicated to working closely with all stakeholders to create a secure, reliable, and resilient digital environment across Nigeria.
According to a report by the UN Economic Commission for Africa cited by Dr. Maida, a 10% improvement in cybersecurity maturity can significantly boost per capita GDP growth across the continent—underscoring the economic importance of this initiative.
The NCC plans to share the draft framework with industry players for review in the coming weeks, marking a critical step towards securing Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure.
