The Federal Government has raised concerns over the rising destruction of telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria, especially in conflict-prone areas. This was made known by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), during the first Annual Workshop for State Attorneys-General held by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Lagos.
Fagbemi warned that the continuous sabotage of telecom facilities is becoming a serious national problem that requires an urgent and united legal solution. He stated clearly that those who damage communications equipment must be punished to serve as a deterrent to others. “We must ensure that those who willfully destroy or vandalise infrastructure are held accountable. As the saying goes, offenders must be brought to book or the book brought to them,” he said.
The Minister described the communications sector as one of the most dynamic sectors in Nigeria’s economy. He cited fresh data from the NCC, which shows that as of the first quarter of 2025, Nigeria has over 220 million active voice lines, with broadband internet penetration rising to above 32 percent. He noted that this connectivity drives critical services like digital learning, mobile banking, remote work, and e-governance.
However, Fagbemi pointed out that the growth of the sector is being threatened by multiple challenges, including vandalism of infrastructure, overlapping regulatory functions, inconsistent government policies, and multiple taxes from federal, state, and local authorities. He said these challenges are not only technical but also legal and must be addressed through a properly coordinated legal framework.
He recalled a recent incident in Kano where several telecom stations were destroyed in 2023, saying such actions have serious consequences as they disrupt communication services, cut off digital access, and reverse technological progress in the affected communities. He urged that governments at all levels must work together to stop such acts.
To address these issues, Fagbemi called for stronger collaboration between the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government. He said there must be proper enforcement of existing laws that protect telecom infrastructure. The Minister also advised states to take a cue from Anambra State, which in 2023 implemented a unified right-of-way policy that led to a 13 percent increase in fibre optic network expansion within six months.
He proposed the creation of a Federal-State Regulatory Coordination Forum, as well as joint enforcement teams that can protect critical infrastructure across Nigeria’s diverse regions. He also encouraged Attorneys-General to guide their state governments in developing lawful and progressive digital policies, and to promote the use of alternative dispute resolution in settling telecom-related disputes.
Fagbemi said the legal community must not only make laws but also ensure those laws are effectively implemented. “Good governance is not just about laws on paper. It is about implementation, and implementation depends on the integrity, resolve, and collaboration of all of us seated here today,” he stated.
The workshop, titled “Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of Nigeria,” is expected to become a yearly gathering where legal and regulatory experts come together to plan for the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.
In his opening speech, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, also spoke on the challenges facing the telecom industry. He said uncoordinated regulations, unpredictable taxes, and weak legal cooperation between government levels are driving away potential investors.
Dr. Maida noted that the 2024 Executive Order, which declares communications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, gives the sector stronger legal protection. But, according to him, that legal backing will only be useful if implemented properly through collaboration with state legal officers.
He added that the NCC is already looking at future challenges, including how to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), protect against cyber threats, and build digital resilience. He said these issues must be handled with legal support from state Attorneys-General, who play key roles in shaping state-level digital policies.
Maida said Attorneys-General were specially chosen to participate in the event not just because they are the chief law officers of their states, but also because their input can help shape policy that supports national progress. He emphasised that the digital economy must be guided by laws that ensure fairness, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
He also explained how the regulatory focus in Nigeria has moved from just liberalising the telecom market in the early 2000s to now addressing complex issues like AI, cyber safety, and universal access. He said forward-thinking collaboration is the only way Nigeria can achieve its digital ambitions and remain competitive globally.
