"NCC and Judiciary Join Forces to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Transformation, Address Telecom Infrastructure Protection at Judges Workshop"
By Gloria Sarauniya Usman
ABUJA, NIGERIA November, 2024-
The 2024 Judges Workshop, co-organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI), has commenced with key discussions focused on the judiciary's role in fostering Nigeria's digital transformation. Themed "The Role of the Judiciary in Accelerating Digital Transformation in Nigeria," the workshop gathered judicial leaders and stakeholders to explore how legal frameworks can adapt to support the nation’s expanding digital landscape.
In his welcome address, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, underscored the NCC's regulatory mandate to ensure reliable, accessible communication infrastructure that supports Nigeria’s digital economy. He highlighted the critical challenges that telecom infrastructure faces, including vandalism, theft, and restricted access, emphasizing the need for judicial support in upholding protections for these essential services.
A recent Presidential Order by President Bola Tinubu designates all telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, enhancing legal safeguards against disruptions. Dr. Maida urged the judiciary to play a pivotal role in enforcing these protections, which are vital for maintaining connectivity across the country. He also highlighted NCC’s commitment to collaboration with the judiciary and praised the NJI’s partnership in organizing the event, expressing optimism about the workshop’s potential to advance communications law in Nigeria.
In her keynote address, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, reinforced the judiciary’s role in navigating the complexities of the digital age.
Justice Kekere-Ekun addressed pressing challenges such as cybersecurity, personal data protection, and consumer rights, noting the workshop’s significance in equipping judges with skills to handle disputes within the evolving telecommunications sector. She commended the NCC’s efforts in consumer protection and emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to transparency and consistency in interpreting laws that govern the sector.
Both Dr. Maida and Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed hopes that the workshop will foster solutions to current telecommunications challenges, empower judges with enhanced knowledge of sector-specific issues, and promote a stable legal environment conducive to technological innovation. Special acknowledgment was given to Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, and the resource persons involved in the workshop.
The event concluded with Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun officially opening the workshop, urging active participation and meaningful contributions from attendees as Nigeria continues on its path to digital transformation.
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