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The Nigerian Communications Commission has called for deeper collaboration with the National Judicial Institute to address growing legal and security challenges affecting Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, particularly the rising attacks on critical telecom infrastructure across the country.
The appeal was made during the opening of a two-day workshop for judges on legal issues in telecommunications organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said that despite significant progress in telecom investments, network expansion, and broadband penetration, the industry continues to face serious threats from vandalism, sabotage, and theft of infrastructure.
According to Maida, broadband penetration in Nigeria increased from 47.70 per cent in 2025 to 54.30 per cent in 2026, reflecting continued growth in digital connectivity and telecommunications access nationwide.
However, he warned that recurring attacks on telecom infrastructure could undermine the sector’s achievements and disrupt critical services relied upon by millions of Nigerians.
The workshop, themed ‘Adjudicating in the Digital Era: The Judiciary’s Imperative in Connectivity, Infrastructure Protection and Online Safety,’ was designed to examine the evolving legal and governance challenges emerging within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Maida noted that the judiciary now plays an increasingly strategic role in addressing disputes and interpreting laws related to digital connectivity, infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and online safety.
He referenced the recent designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that telecom assets now require coordinated national protection due to their importance to economic activities, security, and daily life.
“Despite this designation, we continue to witness disturbing levels of vandalism, fibre cuts, theft of equipment, and sabotage that disrupt services for millions of citizens and compromise national security,” Maida said.
He further emphasised that judicial decisions on telecom-related matters would significantly influence investor confidence, regulatory certainty, and trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NCC Board of Commissioners, Idris Olorunimbe, said the workshop provides a platform for engagement among the judiciary, regulators, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and industry stakeholders on emerging governance issues within the telecommunications space.
Olorunimbe urged the judiciary to respond with urgency to the increasing attacks on telecom infrastructure, noting that the legal system must evolve at the same pace as technological advancements such as 5G networks and digital services.
In his remarks, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Babatunde Adejumo, highlighted the judiciary’s responsibility in balancing digital rights, privacy, security, and freedom of expression within an increasingly connected society.
According to him, the evolving telecommunications environment requires judges to develop a deeper understanding of emerging technologies, digital regulations, and the broader implications of judicial decisions on Nigeria’s digital future.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, represented by Supreme Court Justice Musa Saulawa, said the rapid pace of technological innovation continues to create new legal and regulatory challenges globally.
She noted that legal systems worldwide are increasingly required to address complex issues involving regulation, accountability, digital rights protection, and institutional responsibilities within the technology ecosystem.
“The judiciary cannot remain detached from these developments. The law must respond to changing realities while preserving the principles that sustain justice and social order,” she stated.
According to her, Nigeria’s accelerating digital transformation makes judicial preparedness essential in ensuring that the country’s legal system remains capable of addressing emerging issues within the telecommunications and digital economy sectors.
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