The Nigerian Communications Fee (NCC) is creating a complete cybersecurity framework to safeguard digital infrastructure and improve on-line security for telecom customers.
The framework, anticipated to take impact in 2026, will tackle safety challenges arising from rising applied sciences and strengthen Nigeria’s digital financial system.
In accordance with an announcement launched on Friday by NCC’s Head of Public Affairs Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, the initiative was the main target of the Fee’s second stakeholder assembly on the framework, held in Abuja. It builds on an earlier engagement with business gamers earlier within the yr.
Rising cyber threats demand stronger motion
Talking on the discussion board, NCC’s Govt Commissioner for Technical Companies, Abraham Oshadami, stated the growing digitalization of companies, fast knowledge change, and complicated cyber threats require a “strong, adaptive, and inclusive cybersecurity framework.”
He famous that cyber dangers are not restricted to confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) however now prolong to human security.
“Each state and non-state actors are concentrating on important sectors—together with ours—by way of coordinated cyber and bodily assaults. These assaults incessantly goal management techniques and knowledge integrity, posing essential dangers to operational expertise (OT), particularly in our sector,” Oshadami warned.
Telecoms as prime targets
Oshadami added that the telecommunications sector, being the spine of Nigeria’s digital financial system, performs a essential position in nationwide improvement, financial transformation, and social interplay. This makes it each a strategic asset and a first-rate goal for cyberattacks.
“As cyberthreats evolve, they endanger not solely system efficiency but in addition human security, amplifying the severity of disruptions to important communications infrastructure,” he stated.
- The NCC defined that the continuing consultations are supposed to refine the framework, validate its design ideas, and agree on implementation methods.
- Oshadami burdened that sustainable cybersecurity can solely be achieved by way of shared duty and powerful public-private partnerships.
“Together with your continued experience, perception, and collaboration, we’re assured that we will co-create a framework that not solely secures our digital infrastructure but in addition fosters innovation, competitiveness, and long-term business progress,” he informed contributors.
Framework presentation and subsequent steps
CEO of CyberNover, Dr. Kazeem Durodoye, the consultants working with the NCC, offered the draft framework to stakeholders, whereas the NCC’s Head of Cybersecurity and Web Governance, Babagana Digima, disclosed that the mission is being supported by the World Bank.
- Digima confirmed that the framework shall be finalized by the third quarter of 2025, with implementation anticipated to start in early 2026.
- He counseled stakeholders for his or her enter and urged steady collaboration because the Fee strengthens Nigeria’s cybersecurity readiness.
- The Abuja discussion board offered a platform for business gamers and authorities companies to align on methods for enhancing nationwide cybersecurity preparedness and sector resilience. It additionally reviewed technical inputs from the primary spherical of consultations.
Backstory
The Cybersecurity initiative for the telecom business was first introduced in June this yr by the Govt Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who acknowledged that the proposed framework will define minimal cybersecurity expectations for telecom operators.
- In accordance with him, these embody guidelines for incident reporting, threat administration, data sharing, and collaboration with regulatory companies.
- The initiative, he stated, shall be guided by present legal guidelines such because the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2015 and the Nigerian Information Safety Act of 2023, which require essential sectors like telecoms to undertake stronger cybersecurity measures.