The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the development of a comprehensive cybersecurity framework aimed at strengthening the defence of Nigeria’s rapidly growing telecommunications sector against evolving digital threats.
The announcement was made during a cybersecurity framework development regulatory meeting held in Lagos, where Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, was represented by Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner of Technical Services.
Cybersecurity in Nigeria’s Telecom Industry: Why It Matters
Nigeria’s telecom sector has seen exponential growth, from fewer than 500,000 active lines in 2001 to over 172 million active subscribers and 141 million internet users in 2025. While this surge supports digital inclusion and economic progress, it also opens doors for cyberattacks, especially targeting critical government and telecom infrastructure.
“Cybersecurity is no longer optional; it’s a necessity,” said Oshadami. “Our goal is to implement a framework that reflects the realities of our industry while safeguarding consumers and national infrastructure.”
Key Objectives of the NCC Cybersecurity Framework
Dr. Maida emphasised that the NCC’s new cybersecurity framework is being built with clear and strategic objectives, including:
- Establishing a unified and resilient cybersecurity posture across the telecom industry
- Strengthening telecom infrastructure protection
- Safeguarding consumer data and privacy
- Aligning with the National Cybersecurity Strategy and global best practices
- Building industry-wide cybersecurity expertise to anticipate, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents
- Proactively identifying and mitigating future cybersecurity risks
According to a UN Economic Commission for Africa report cited by Maida, a 10% improvement in cybersecurity maturity could significantly boost Africa’s per capita GDP, further underlining the economic importance of this initiative.
What Telecom Operators Need to Know
The proposed framework will set minimum cybersecurity standards for telecommunication service providers in Nigeria. These requirements will include:
- Incident reporting protocols
- Risk management guidelines
- Information sharing mechanisms
- Collaboration procedures with regulatory bodies
The initiative will be anchored by existing legal frameworks like the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2015 and the Nigerian Data Protection Act of 2023, which mandate stronger security protocols across critical national sectors.
Stakeholder Engagement Is Key
To ensure the framework’s effectiveness, the NCC is working closely with telecom stakeholders. “The regulatory meeting is not just a formality. We’re actively gathering input from industry players to develop a policy that works for everyone,” Oshadami explained.
He reiterated that cyber resilience is a shared responsibility, and the NCC is committed to equipping the telecom sector with tools and guidelines that will promote national security and economic stability.
