As Nigeria’s telecommunications industry seeks effective ways to secure its infrastructure following its designation as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), stakeholders are set to meet in Lagos on July 30, 2025, for the “Industry Sustainability and CNII Conference 2025 – Way Forward.”
Organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) in partnership with the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the forum aims to address gaps that threaten infrastructure security and investment protection in the telecoms sector.
NITRA, in a statement, stressed that the federal government’s declaration of CNII status for telecom infrastructure, while commendable, is not a standalone solution. Without internal reforms and adherence to industry standards by operators, the risks of vandalism, sabotage, and policy gaps remain.
The upcoming forum will gather key players from government, telecom companies, security agencies, regulators, infrastructure firms, the media, and both public and private stakeholders to chart a collective path forward. Discussions will revolve around the CNII implementation process, legislation gaps, regulatory roles in public compliance, security architecture, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
The conference will feature panel sessions where participants are expected to deliberate on pressing issues and provide actionable solutions to industry-wide challenges. The event will also explore how improved regulation and coordinated industry efforts can ensure infrastructure protection, enhance investment security, and strengthen national digital capacity.
Expected attendees include the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, alongside top executives from telecom firms, infrastructure companies, and security agencies.
In previous forums, ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo has emphasized the importance of maintaining telecom installations and adopting tech-enabled solutions to guard against vandalism and theft, which continue to hamper industry operations.
NITRA Chairman, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, highlighted the importance of the upcoming conference as a platform to harmonize strategies and secure the future of Nigeria’s telecom sector. He said the forum seeks to reinforce the government’s CNII proclamation by creating practical frameworks for enforcement, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
According to NITRA, “The Critical National Information Infrastructure is central to national survival. Its disruption would deeply impact Nigeria’s economy, public health, governance, and national security. Protecting it demands urgent and unified action from all stakeholders.”
