By Ivy Samuel
Key players in Nigeria’s telecom industry are gearing up to address crucial questions stemming from the Federal Government’s recent designation of the sector as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). These vital discussions will take place at the “Industry Sustainability And CNII Conference 2025,” jointly organized by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) and the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).
The conference, scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at CitiHeight Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, aims to chart a practical path forward for securing telecom infrastructure and protecting investments. Organizers emphasize that merely declaring CNI status won’t guarantee safety; internal and standardization issues must be resolved first. The forum will serve as a platform for stakeholders to confront these challenges head-on.
NITRA, the umbrella body for technology reporters in Nigeria, highlighted that while the CNI declaration is a significant step, true infrastructure safety depends on resolving specific internal and standardization issues among operators. The upcoming forum is designed to bring together all relevant parties to tackle these pressing concerns.
The Nine Key Questions
Stakeholders at the event will be tasked with providing answers to the following nine critical questions:
- How do we ensure that this law is implemented to the letter?
- Are there areas worth looking into once more, or is the Bill perfect as it is?
- What are the roles of each stakeholder in the industry – Federal, States, Operators, Consumers, and other actors?
- Are individual telecom companies and service providers keying into the CNII provisions, and if so, how?
- What are the roles of regulators in ensuring public compliance with the Bill?
- How do we ensure security of telecom infrastructure?
- What is the place of collaboration among all industry players?
- Regarding publicity, how much are the public aware of the CNII provisions?
- How can we sustain the growth and development of telecommunications in Nigeria?
These questions will form the core of the panel discussions, aiming to foster an understanding and generate actionable strategies for industry sustainability and CNII implementation.
The event expects a diverse attendance, including the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, network operators, security agencies, regulators, media representatives, infrastructure companies, and key decision-makers from both private and public sectors.
NITRA underscored the fundamental importance of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) for a nation’s well-being. “The destruction or disruption of these systems and communication networks would significantly affect the economic strength, image, defense and security, government capabilities to function, and public health and safety,” a statement from the association explained.
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of ALTON, has previously emphasized the critical need for proper infrastructure maintenance and upgraded installations to prevent vandalism and theft. He has consistently highlighted challenges such as stolen manhole covers, fiber cables, poles, community resistance to projects, unauthorized installations, and malicious destruction of telecom infrastructure.
Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Chairman of NITRA, stressed the significance of the “Industry Sustainability and CNII Conference.” He noted that the forum provides an essential platform for industry stakeholders to “broker an understanding on how to secure telecom infrastructure, standing on FG’s proclamation of CNII.” The conference is expected to lead to the formulation of concrete measures for implementing the Bill’s provisions and ensuring compliance.
Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, General Secretary of NITRA, added that the forum will also welcome input from other industry associations and offer the public an opportunity to share their perspectives, particularly concerning local infrastructure security.