The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has unveiled plans for a global collaboration aimed at bolstering the protection of undersea cables, crucial arteries of the digital infrastructure.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Minister Tijani underscored the imperative of fortifying these undersea cables, especially in light of recent incidents affecting countries such as Ghana, Togo, and Senegal.
Highlighting the indispensable role of these cables in the digital economy, Minister Tijani stressed the urgency of reassessing international regulations and forging partnerships with regional and global entities to expedite efforts in safeguarding this vital infrastructure.
Assuring those impacted by the disruptions, Minister Tijani affirmed that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is actively collaborating with pertinent stakeholders to promptly address the prevailing challenges.
This initiative represents a pivotal stride towards ensuring the resilience and reliability of undersea cables, which serve as lifelines in our increasingly interconnected world, remarked Minister Tijani.
The recent disruptions to undersea cables, resulting in broadband Internet connectivity outages across Nigeria and the West African sub-region, compelled various financial institutions, telecom companies, and affiliated enterprises to scale back their operations.
Cable providers such as the West African Cable System and African Coast to Europe have reported faults, while SAT3 and MainOne have experienced downtime.
Minister Tijani lauded the concerted efforts of telecommunications companies, including Globacom, West Indian Ocean Cable Company, MTN, and MainOne, in mitigating the impact of these disruptions, emphasizing their invaluable contributions to enhancing the sector’s resilience.
Expressing appreciation for their collaborative spirit, Minister Tijani commended their collective endeavor, which not only alleviates immediate challenges but also contributes to better preparedness for future exigencies.
In conclusion, Minister Tijani reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Communications Commission to working closely with all stakeholders to swiftly resolve the ongoing issues, underscoring the government’s unwavering dedication to ensuring the integrity and continuity of critical digital infrastructure.
