Telecom Operators Set August Meeting on National Infrastructure Protection Order
Telecom operators to meet in Abuja over new Executive Order declaring networks as national infrastructure.
ATCON plans August summit to drive collaboration, protect assets, and boost digital economy growth.
Telecommunications operators in Nigeria, under the umbrella of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), have announced a strategic stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for August 15, 2025, in Abuja. The meeting comes in response to a recent Executive Order by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which officially designates telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
This designation marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s digital economy, recognizing telecom networks as essential to national security and socio-economic stability. ATCON says the second edition of its high-level engagement series will focus on the theme: “Rallying Critical Stakeholders to Drive the Successful Execution of the Executive Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure.”
The strategic meeting aims to build consensus and cooperation among public and private sector leaders to ensure the Order’s effective implementation. ATCON National President, Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, stressed the need for collaboration at all levels of government.
“The effective implementation of this Executive Order hinges significantly on continuous engagement and collaboration with all key stakeholders,” Emoekpere said. “State-level leadership is critical to achieving the national objectives set out in the Order.”
ATCON is extending invitations to a wide range of stakeholders, including Commissioners for ICT and Digital Economy, Permanent Secretaries, Directors of ICT across all 36 states, federal regulatory agencies, and ministries with oversight of telecommunications and security. Their collective role is deemed vital for turning the Order’s intentions into actionable protections on the ground.
The CNII designation provides a framework for prioritizing the protection of telecom infrastructure against vandalism, cyberattacks, and service disruptions. It also paves the way for greater investments in network expansion, resilient digital infrastructure, and emergency response protocols.
Operators expect the Executive Order to help reduce the regulatory bottlenecks that have long hindered the deployment of telecom facilities, particularly in remote and underserved areas. It may also lead to more robust inter-agency collaboration and standardized security practices nationwide.
By aligning telecom infrastructure with national security interests, the government is also sending a strong message to investors about the sector’s strategic importance.
The move by ONSA to designate telecoms as CNII aligns with broader efforts to secure Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda. With the growth of mobile money, e-government platforms, digital ID systems, and innovative infrastructure, telecom networks are now more than commercial assets. They are national lifelines.
ATCON believes the August summit will deepen alignment between the private sector and government institutions, ensuring shared responsibilities for safeguarding and expanding telecom infrastructure in line with national priorities.
“Our 36 State Commissioners hold the key to ensuring that telecom infrastructure is not only protected but also developed to its full potential,” Emoekpere added.
The event is expected to yield practical policy recommendations, a monitoring framework for CNII implementation, and potentially new collaborative mechanisms among federal, state, and industry stakeholders.
