The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded work on a new cybersecurity framework for the telecoms industry aimed at strengthening protection against rising cases of website hacking, ransomware attacks, and spam across telecom networks. The framework is scheduled for release next month.
NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed the development during a media parley in Lagos. He explained that the framework will mandate minimum cybersecurity standards for operators, creating a secure baseline that should reduce hacking attempts, spam messages, and ransomware incidents.
Maida noted that network insecurity remains a major challenge for operators, making it imperative to enforce stronger digital safeguards in today’s telecom environment.
Alongside cybersecurity, NCC is also addressing subscriber concerns over fast data depletion. The commission engaged global consulting firms PwC and KPMG to investigate the issue. Their study revealed that rapid data usage is largely linked to consumer digital lifestyles rather than operators, with heavy activities such as video streaming, social media scrolling, auto-downloads on messaging apps, and background backups consuming significant amounts of data.
To address these challenges, Maida stressed the need for affordable, high-speed internet through fibre connectivity instead of relying primarily on mobile data. He praised the federal government’s project to add 90,000 km of fibre infrastructure to the existing 30,000 km, designed to improve nationwide connectivity.
He added that the NCC is also conducting a wholesale pricing study for backbone networks to ensure fair access for smaller operators. This, he said, would expand capacity from coastal landing points to inland regions, ultimately connecting more households and businesses with affordable high-speed internet.
