The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled plans to roll out a comprehensive cybersecurity framework aimed at protecting Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure and boosting online safety.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled plans to roll out a comprehensive cybersecurity framework aimed at protecting Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure and boosting online safety.
The framework, expected to take off in early 2026 after its finalization later this year, was the focus of the Commission’s second cybersecurity stakeholders’ workshop held in Abuja on Wednesday.
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NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), Abraham Oshadami, said the rising sophistication of cyber threats demands urgent action. He warned that both state and non-state actors are increasingly targeting vital communications infrastructure, posing risks not just to systems but to human safety.
“As cyberthreats evolve, they endanger not only system performance but also people’s lives. The telecom sector, as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy, has become a prime target,” Oshadami stressed.
While emphasizing the need to develop the framework, Oshadami said as telecommunications industry continues to serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy, its critical role in national development, economic transformation, and societal interaction makes it a strategic asset and unfortunately, a prime target for cyber threats.
Oshadami further explained that the second stakeholders meeting on the cybersecurity framework was to present the progress made since the initial meeting, including the refined framework based on stakeholder input; and to further validate key components, design principles, and implementation strategies of the proposed framework, among others.
The ECTS stated that as the national regulator, the NCC remains committed to an inclusive and consultative process, recognizing that sustainable cybersecurity outcomes can only be achieved through shared responsibility and strong public-private partnerships. “With your continued expertise, insight, and collaboration, we are confident that we can co-create a framework that not only secures our digital infrastructure but also fosters innovation, competitiveness, and long-term industry growth,” he said.
The meeting reviewed progress made since the first engagement earlier this year and refined key design principles for the framework. Dr. Kazeem Durodoye, Chief Executive Officer of CyberNover, consultants to the NCC, provided further details of the plan, while NCC’s Head of Cybersecurity and Internet Governance, Mr. Babagana Digima, confirmed the World Bank is backing the project.
NCC assured that the initiative will strengthen national preparedness and industry resilience against cyberattacks through inclusive collaboration with stakeholders.
The workshop drew telecom operators, government agencies, and cybersecurity experts from across the sector.
