By Patrick Aigbokhan
The Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) in collaboration with the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has canvassed an all-stakeholder approach to actualize the recent Critical National Infrastructure (CNII) status granted the telecom industry by the Federal Government.
This according to them would help surmount the challenges of securing its infrastructure and ensure investments are protected.
In a statement, NITRA noted that mere declaration of the CNII cannot guarantee infrastructure safety, except certain internal and standardization issues are first resolved by operators. It disclosed that the forum will bring stakeholders together to address pertinent issues and questions begging for answers.
The summit is to hold at CitiHeight Hotel, Ikeja on August 7, 2025, under the theme “Industry Sustainability and CNII Conference 2025 – Way Forward.” It will gather stakeholders to discuss the practical way forward, noting that passage of the Bill alone will not achieve desired results.
According to the organisers, areas that stakeholders will provide answers to at the event include: How to ensure that the law is implemented to the letter; areas worth looking into once more, or is the Bill perfect as it is; the roles of each stakeholder in the industry – Federal, States, Operators, Consumers, and other actors; possibilities of individual telecom companies and service providers keying into the CNNI provisions, and their methods; the likely roles of regulators in ensuring public compliance to the Bill and ensuring security.
Others include the place of collaboration, the level of the CNII provisions that the public is aware of, and the way to sustain the growth and development of telecommunications in Nigeria.
The Panel Discussion sessions will look into some of the questions arising from industry sustainability and CNII implementation.
Expected at the event are the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, network operators, security agencies, regulators, the media, infrastructure companies and decision makers in private and public firms, among other guests.
According to a statement from NITRA, “It is a known fact that the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) is crucial to the survivability of a nation, and that the destruction or disruption of these systems and communication networks would significantly affect the economic strength, image, defence and security, government capabilities to function, and public health and safety.”
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, in a forum, stressed the importance of proper infrastructure maintenance and tech-upgraded installation to prevent vandalism and theft.
He highlighted the widespread issue of stolen manhole covers, fibre cables, and poles; community resistance to infrastructure projects; unauthorised installation of infrastructure without government approval; malicious destruction of telecom infrastructure, among other challenges to be curbed.
Chairman of NITRA, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, spoke of the importance of the Industry Sustainability and CNII Conference, noting that industry stakeholders need to come around a table to broker an understanding on how to secure telecom infrastructure, standing on FG’s proclamation of CNII.
He noted that with the CNII Bill in place, stakeholders will have to formulate measures to take to implement the provisions of the Bill and enforce compliance. These, he disclosed, will be the outcome of the forum to be held in Lagos.
According to the General Secretary of NITRA, Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, the forum, which will have other industry Associations also make their inputs, will afford the public opportunity to share their thoughts, especially as it regards the security of infrastructure in their localities.
NITRA is an umbrella body for journalists reporting information and communications technology as it relates to all sectors in Nigeria, a body formed and established following the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The Association, founded in November 2013, is guided by a principle of enhancing ICT development in Nigeria and ensuring the welfare of its members through skills/professional development and economic empowerment.
With membership that cuts across all segments of the media, some part of its aims and objectives are to guide, protect and monitor ICT activities and reportage in print, electronic and online media platforms; To develop the sector through reportage and programmes in partnership with stakeholders; and to promote ICT development through seminars, workshops, training and capacity building, conferences, awards and others as may be deemed fit.
With a National secretariat in Lagos, NITRA has a chapter in Abuja, ALTON is a corporate body, duly registered under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an Incorporated Trustee, and officially recognized by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission as the official industry body for all providers of telecommunications and subsidiary services in Nigeria. As an incorporated trustee, the Association similarly has some resourceful persons drawn from the cream of telecommunications services providers of Nigeria as its trustees and National Executive Council. Membership of the Association includes all the major telecommunications licensees in Nigeria, particularly those providing voice and data.
The association remains dedicated to promoting transparency, operational efficiency, and robust consumer protection across Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital finance sectors.
