NITRA, ALTON To Host Stakeholders On CNII & Sustainability Discourse

As the telecom industry grapples with the challenge of how to secure its infrastructure and ensure that investments in the telecoms space are protected, following the recent Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) status granted it by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) has called for an all-stakeholder approach.

NITRA, the umbrella Association for technology reporters in Nigeria, in a statement announcing a joint-industry forum, being organized in collaboration with the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), noted that mere declaration of the CNII order cannot solely guarantee infrastructure safety except certain internal and standardisation issues are first resolved by operators, further disclosed that the forum will bring stakeholders together to address pertinent issues and questions begging for answers.

Scheduled to hold at CitiHeight Hotel, Ikeja on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the event, tagged “Industry Sustainability And CNII Conference 2025 – Way Forward” will gather stakeholders to discuss the practical way forward, noting that passage of the Bill along will not achieve desired results.

According to the organisers, questions that stakeholders will provide answers to at the event include:

Ø   How do we ensure that this law is implemented to the letter?

Ø   Are there areas worth looking into once more, or is the Bill perfect as it is?

Ø   What are the roles of each stakeholder in the industry – Federal, States, Operators, Consumers, and other actors?

Ø   Are individual telecom companies and service providers keying into the CNNI provisions, and how?

Ø   What are the roles of regulators in ensuring public compliance to the Bill?

Ø   How do we ensure security?

Ø   What is the place of collaboration?

Ø   Publicity: how much of the CNII provisions are the public aware of?

Ø   How can we sustain the growth and development of telecommunications in Nigeria?

The Panel Discussion sessions will look into some of the questions arising from industry sustainability and CNII implementation.

Expected at the event are the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, network operators, security agencies, regulators, the media, infrastructure companies and decision makers in private and public firms, among other guests.

According to a statement from NITRA, “It is a known fact that the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) is crucial to the survivability of a nation, and that the destruction or disruption of these systems and communication networks would significantly affect the economic strength, image, defense and security, government capabilities to function, and public health and safety.”

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, had in a forum stressed the importance of proper infrastructure maintenance and tech-upgraded installation to prevent vandalism and theft.

He highlighted the widespread issue of stolen manhole covers, fibre cables and poles; community resistance to infrastructure projects; unauthorised installation of infrastructure without government approval; malicious destruction of telecom infrastructure; among other challenges to be curbed.

Chairman of NITRA, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, spoke of the importance of the Industry Sustainability and CNII Conference, noting that industry stakeholders need to come around a table to broker an understanding on how to secure telecom infrastructure, standing on FG’s proclamation of CNII.

He noted that with the CNII Bill in place, stakeholders will have to formulate measures to take to implement the provisions of the Bill and enforce compliance. These he disclosed, will be the outcome of the forum to be held in Lagos.

According to the General Secretary of NITRA, Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, the forum, which will have other industry Associations also make their inputs, will afford the public opportunity to share their thoughts, especially as it regards the security of infrastructure in their localities.

ABOUT NITRA

The Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) is an umbrella body for journalists reporting information and communications technology as it relates to all sectors in Nigeria, a body formed and esta-lished in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The Association, founded in November 2013 is guided by a principle of enhancing ICT development in Nigeria and ensuring the welfare of its member through skills/professional development and economic empowerment.

With membership that cuts across all segments of the media, some part of its aims and objectives are to guide, protect and monitor ICT activities and reportage in print, electronic and online media platforms; To develop the sector through reportage and programmes in partnership with stakeholders; and To promote ICT development through seminars, workshops, training and capacity building, conferences, awards and others as may be deemed fit.

With a National secretariat in Lagos, NITRA has a chapter in Abuja.

ABOUT ALTON

The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) is a corporate body, duly registered under the laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria as an Incorporated Trustee, and officially recognized by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission as the official industry body for all providers of telecommunications and subsidiary services in Nigeria. As an incorporated trustee, the Association similarly has a number of resourceful persons drawn from the cream of telecommunications services provider of Nigeria as its trustees and National Executive Council. Membership of the Association includes all the major telecommunications licensees in Nigeria, particularly those providing voice and data.

The association remains dedicated to promoting transparency, operational efficiency, and robust consumer protection across Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital finance sectors.