NCC engages Judiciary in workshop on protection of telecom infrastructure, others
L -R: Hon Justice Habeeb A.O Abiru, Justice of the Supreme Court; Hon. Justice Babatunde A. Adejumo, Administrator, National Judicial Institute; Barr. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Chief Idris Olorunnimbe, Chairman Governing Board NCC; Hon. Justice Ibrahim M.M Saulawa, Justice of the Supreme Court, representing the Chief Justice of Nigeria; Mrs Chizua Whyte, Head Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC and Hon Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya, Justice of the Supreme Court, during NCC’s 2026 Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications on the 14th May 2026 at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja Lagos.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Nigeria’s Judiciary have engaged and pledged to deepen collaboration to safeguard connectivity, protect critical infrastructure, and strengthen online safety as the country accelerates into a digital future.
This commitment was made at the opening of the two‑day 2026 Workshop for Justices and Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, jointly organized by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) held at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel.
The Workshop brought together Supreme Court Justices, Judges of Federal and State High Courts, regulators, and industry stakeholders to brainstorm on the theme: “Adjudicating in the Digital Era: The Judiciary’s Imperative in Connectivity, Infrastructure Protection and Online Safety.”
In his welcome address, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, represented by NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Ms. Rimini Makama highlighted Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He disclosed that broadband penetration has risen from 47.7 per cent in 2025 to 54.3 per cent in 2026, while data consumption has attained unprecedented levels.
According to him, “In March 2026 alone, Nigerians consumed over 1.42 million terabytes of data, equivalent to more than 15 million hours of high‑definition video every single day.”
Maida hinted that telecom operators invested over $1 billion in network expansion last year, stressing on the sector’s resilience and its critical role in economic growth.
However, the EVC NCC warned that progress is under constant threat from vandalism, fibre cuts, theft of equipment, and sabotage.
He recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has designated telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure and therefore requires whole‑of‑government protection.
He stated further that the NCC is working closely with security agencies and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to disrupt syndicates involved in telecom equipment theft.
He further disclosed that the Commission has also launched the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) to combat SIM card fraud, number recycling, and identity‑related abuses.
Maida added “We have already signed an MoU with the Central Bank of Nigeria to enhance visibility in fighting e‑fraud, and will extend this collaboration to EFCC, NIMC, and other agencies.”
In her keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere‑Ekun, represented by Honourable Justice Musa Saulawa underscored that the courts must adapt to the realities of a digital society, adding that “Governance, commerce, financial transactions, education, and social interaction now depend substantially on digital connectivity.”
She explained that with this dependence comes complex legal questions around regulation, accountability, rights protection, and institutional responsibility.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, highlighted the judiciary’s growing involvement in disputes over cyber fraud, privacy violations, misinformation, and infrastructure protection, among others in the country.
She harped on the need for judicial officers to balance freedom of expression with public safety and privacy, applying legal principles with discipline and foresight.
She cited references with jurisdictions such as the UK, India, and the EU and noted that Nigerian courts must be equally prepared to shape the legal architecture of the digital age.
She emphasized the mutual responsibility between regulators and the judiciary.
According to the CJN “Judgments of courts are not merely advisory opinions; they constitute authoritative statements of the law and form an essential framework within which regulatory discretion must operate.”
She contended that sustainable sectoral development depends on regulators respecting judicial interpretations while courts uphold independence and fidelity to the Rule of Law.
In his opening remarks, Administrator of the NJI, Honourable Justice B.A. Adejumo, described connectivity as fundamental to human existence and national stability.
Justice Adejumo warned of rising privacy vulnerabilities, surveillance concerns, misinformation, and algorithmic biases, stressing that the judiciary must distinguish between meaningful connection and digital exploitation.
He emphasised the judiciary’s role in harmonising freedom of expression with privacy and security, requiring a sophisticated grasp of telecommunications law.
He urged for stronger inter‑agency collaboration to tackle vandalism, fibre‑optic damage, and risks posed by Over‑the‑Top services and the Internet of Things.
He acknowledged that establishing a resilient and secure digital framework is, ultimately, a shared endeavour.
During the course of the workshop, judges will engage with expert presentations and panel discussions on topics including infrastructure resilience, artificial intelligence applications, subscriber identity management, cybercrime prevention, and the limits of internet governance.
The sessions are designed to equip judicial officers with practical insights to enhance justice delivery in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
The Chairman of NCC Board, Idris Olorunnimbe, highlighted that the rapid evolution of digital technologies and communications services has fundamentally transformed modern society, reshaping commerce, governance, security, and social interaction.
The Chairman of NCC Board said that as Nigeria continues its journey toward a fully digital economy, the role of the judiciary in interpreting and applying the law within this dynamic ecosystem has become increasingly critical.
“Today, telecommunications infrastructure has assumed the status of critical national infrastructure, underpinning economic growth, financial systems, national security, public safety, and citizen engagement. Consequently, issues relating to infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, online harms, digital identity, consumer protection, and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence now require deeper institutional collaboration and enhanced judicial appreciation of the regulatory and technological landscape,” Olorunnimbe added.
