Nigerian Government Plans Collaborative Effort with Ghana and Others to Safeguard Undersea Cables

Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, recently announced the Nigerian government’s intention to lead global discussions aimed at bolstering the protection of undersea cables vital for digital connectivity.

Tijani unveiled this initiative on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, in response to the recent undersea cable disruptions affecting nations like Ghana, Togo, and Senegal.

Highlighting the indispensable role of these cables in the digital economy, Tijani stressed the imperative of reassessing international regulations and forging partnerships with regional and global entities to fortify the defense of this critical infrastructure.

Assuring those impacted by the disruptions, Tijani assured that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was actively collaborating with relevant stakeholders to swiftly address the challenges at hand.

“This initiative marks a significant stride towards fortifying the resilience and reliability of undersea cables, which serve as lifelines in our interconnected world,” Tijani remarked.

He commended the collaborative efforts of key players in the telecom sector, including GloWorld, WIOCC, MTN Nigeria, and MainOne, for their proactive measures in mitigating the impacts of the cable cuts, underscoring the importance of collective action in preparation for future contingencies.

“To those experiencing disruptions, rest assured that @NgComCommission is diligently working with all stakeholders to resolve the issue promptly,” he assured.

The recent undersea cable disruptions have triggered operational adjustments for various financial institutions, telecom companies, and allied firms. Notably, West African Cable System and African Coast to Europe in the West Coast route, alongside SAT3 and MainOne, have reported technical faults.

Meanwhile, Sarafadeen Fasasi, President of the Association Of Mobile Money and Bank Agents In Nigeria, revealed the significant reconciliation challenges encountered by members due to the internet service disruption, emphasizing its adverse impact on financial transactions and customer service.

As the restoration efforts unfold, it has been disclosed that resolving the undersea cable cuts may extend over several weeks. Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) anticipates a minimum of five weeks for full service restoration, following a meeting involving subsea cable landing service providers and affected mobile operators.

Despite the setbacks, progress has been reported in Cote D’Ivoire, where services have been restored, according to Charles Jama, a public relations expert in the country.

In the pursuit of a swift resolution, regional collaboration and concerted efforts are essential to mitigate the socio-economic ramifications of the undersea cable disruptions across affected African nations.