The Federal Government has identified critical national infrastructure in 13 key sectors that must be protected from any form of tampering. These sectors range from power and energy to defense and security, including essential services like the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System and the National Identification Number database. President Bola Tinubu recently signed the ‘Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024’ to enforce the protection of these vital systems.
The order aims to safeguard key infrastructure against attacks and ensure the continuity of operations. It lists specific measures to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, and interference with critical systems. The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, praised the designation of all telecom infrastructure as critical, emphasizing the need to protect investments in the ICT sector.
This move comes in response to increasing attacks on telecom infrastructure, with operators like MTN Nigeria and Airtel facing thousands of fiber cuts annually. The government’s proactive stance on protecting critical national infrastructure is crucial for national security and economic development.