FG Cracks Down on Telecom Towers Vandalism, Issue New Law to Protects Critical IT Infrastructure

The Federal Government has finally signed the ‘Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024,’ 23 years after the country’s telecommunication revolution began.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani disclosed this on Wednesday. He said, “I would like to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the release of the official gazette, ‘Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024.”

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The Minister, in his apprcaition note noted that this move is a significant step that will strengthen and protect investments in the ICT sector by reducing incidences capable of damaging the operations and functionality of our technological systems, infrastructure and networks.

Accoding to him, the security and protection of these Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) is a priority for this administration and will help improve the quality of telecoms services which has very often been affected by disruption and intentional damage.

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Furthermore he stressed that this gazette now makes it an offence to wilfully damage assets such as telco towers/sites, switch stations, data centres, satellite infrastructure, submarine & fibre optic cables, transmission equipment, e-government platforms, databases among many others.

“We will continue to work to create the enabling and supportive environment and policies for our digital economy to thrive” he said.