The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is actively exploring the establishment of a Communications Industry Security Trust Fund to tackle the growing menace of infrastructure vandalism. This disclosure came at the conclusion of the 109th Board Meeting of the Commission, where directors expressed grave concern over the persistent damage to network facilities across the country.
Alarming Statistics on Vandalism and Theft
Investigations by The Guardian revealed that in 2025, more than 656 critical power assets, 152 generators, and 504 batteries were stolen. In the first two months of 2026, an additional 64 batteries and 17 generators disappeared. Vandalism hotspots include Lagos, Rivers, the Federal Capital Territory, Ogun, Delta, Anambra, Enugu, and Kaduna, among others.
Further checks showed that in the first quarter of 2026, the country recorded 5,934 fibre cuts. This translates to a staggering national average of about 65 fibre cuts every single day.
Need for Enhanced Collaboration
In a communique issued after the meeting, the Board commended ongoing efforts by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following the designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). However, the Board stressed that far greater collaboration among industry stakeholders is urgently needed to address the crisis.
In response, the Board reaffirmed its commitment to fast-tracking initiatives to enhance infrastructure security, including a formal feasibility study on establishing a dedicated security trust fund for the communications industry. This move signals a decisive shift toward industry-funded, coordinated security measures, potentially pooling resources from operators, tower companies, and regulators to combat vandalism, fibre cuts, and equipment theft that have collectively cost the sector billions of naira.
Commitment to Digital Economy
The meeting, chaired by the NCC Board, ended with a firm commitment to prioritise Quality of Service (QoS), network resilience, consumer protection, and fair competition as enablers of Nigeria’s digital economy. Additionally, the Board assessed ongoing engagements with industry players to develop a framework and determine the best approach to zero-rate educational platforms and content in the country.
