Hands Off Nigeria’s Digital Lifelines: NCC, NSCDC Signal Zero Tolerance for Fibre Cuts

Hands Off Nigeria’s Digital Lifelines: NCC, NSCDC Signal Zero Tolerance for Fibre Cuts

By Gloria Sarauniya Usman

ABUJA, NIGERIA February, 2026 -

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have issued a strong warning to construction companies, contractors, and other stakeholders over the growing incidence of fibre-optic cable damage during road construction and related civil works across the country, declaring that negligence resulting in fibre cuts will no longer be tolerated.

The two agencies stressed that fibre-optic infrastructure constitutes a critical national asset, central to Nigeria’s digital economy and national security architecture. They noted that repeated and avoidable fibre cuts—often caused by poor coordination, unauthorised excavation, or disregard for established procedures—have continued to disrupt telecommunications services, emergency response systems, government operations, and business activities nationwide.

According to the NCC and NSCDC, telecommunications fibre infrastructure has been formally designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order 2024. As a result, any damage arising from unauthorised digging, construction activities, or failure to engage relevant authorities before and during civil works now constitutes a criminal offence.

They further warned that individuals, construction firms, utility providers, or government contractors found culpable of damaging fibre-optic infrastructure will be prosecuted and sanctioned in line with extant laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

In a joint statement, the agencies made it clear that future incidents of fibre damage linked to excavation, road construction, or other civil engineering activities carried out without due consultation and collaboration with network operators and regulators will attract strict legal consequences.

The NCC and NSCDC therefore called on federal, state, and local government agencies; road construction companies; utility service providers; and private developers to comply fully with existing regulations. They urged stakeholders to conduct pre-construction verification of fibre routes, engage the NCC, licensed telecom operators, and the NSCDC before and during construction activities, adhere strictly to approved excavation and right-of-way guidelines, and promptly report any accidental damage to enable swift response and mitigation.

Members of the public were also encouraged to report cases of fibre-optic infrastructure damage or sabotage to the nearest NSCDC office or through designated channels, including protect@ncc.gov.ng, cipu@nscdc.gov.ng, or the 622 toll-free line.

The agencies reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, warning that safeguarding fibre-optic networks is essential to sustaining national connectivity, economic growth, and public safety.