The forthcoming Summit, themed _”CNII: Strengthening Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure through Proactive Implementation and Strategic Coordination,”_ will bring together key players in the telecom industry, regulatory bodies, and government agencies to brainstorm on pressing infrastructure safety concerns.

The move is prompted by the recent designation of telecom facilities as critical national assets under the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, signed by President Bola Tinubu in August 2024.

Industry stakeholders have long expressed concerns over the vulnerability of telecom assets to attacks, vandalism, theft, and arbitrary shutdowns, resulting in significant annual losses and disruptions to telecommunications services.

Omobayo Azeez, Lead Executive of PIAFo, emphasised the importance of safeguarding the telecom sector, citing its crucial role in facilitating cross-industry linkages, efficiency, and productivity.

“The telecom sector is the live wire of the Nigerian economy. If it’s not well-protected, all other sectors will feel the ripples,” Azeez warned, recalling the nationwide telecom service disruption in March 2024 caused by undersea cable cuts with attendant economic losses estimated at $593.6 million.

Azeez highlighted the alarming frequency of fibre cuts, with over 50,000 incidents recorded in 2024 alone, resulting in service blackouts and significant repair costs.

“In 2023, operators reported spending over N35 billion to repair and replace installed fibre cables that were destroyed. This is a fortune that could have been otherwise committed to infrastructure expansion to improve quality of service,” he added.

To prevent a repeat of such incidents, PIAFo is championing a collaborative approach to infrastructure safety, promoting awareness, inclusivity, and partnerships with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the agency tasked to implement the order, as well as other stakeholders.

The Summit, scheduled for March 20, 2025, at the Bon Hotel Ikeja Residence in Lagos, will feature expert discussions and presentations from invited speakers, including representatives from ONSA, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) and the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW).

Other speakers include data centre operators, infrastructure companies (Infracos), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), tower companies (Towercos), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecom lawyers, chiefs of security outfits, and State infrastructure regulatory agencies.

The event has also been endorsed by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).

By convening this critical midpoint engagement platform, PIAFo aims to facilitate a comprehensive and inclusive approach to implementing the CNII Order, ensuring the long-term protection and growth of Nigeria’s telecom sector.

The union, representing over 800 workers, has raised the issues caused by poor working conditions, dismissals, and a lack of recognition for their right to unionise, which they claim have not been addressed by employers in the industry.

The union’s secretary-general, Okonu Abdullahi, in a statement on Monday, explained that the strike became unavoidable due to unending challenges faced by its members. 

He emphasised that these issues include the unjust termination of employees, denial of the workers’ constitutional rights to join the union, and the continued harsh working environment many staff are subjected to within the telecoms sector.

PTECSSAN members, who work across various telecom companies and service providers, including major firms like IHS and Huawei, have been instructed not to address any technical faults or service outages during the strike. 

Abdullahi noted that the impact of the industrial action could be severe, as routine outages and breakdowns of infrastructure would go unaddressed, potentially causing widespread disruption for telecom subscribers nationwide.

The union’s list of demands includes the reinstatement of sacked members, recognition of their union, and an overall improvement in working conditions. They have also called for the prompt remittance of membership dues by employers. 

Despite the union’s actions to resolve these matters through dialogue, they claim that the telecom companies have largely ignored their grievances. 

This is not the first instance of unrest within the sector; earlier in the year, a similar strike was averted following intervention by the Ministry of Labour. However, Abdullahi mentioned that the companies have reverted to their previous practices, leaving the union with no choice but to resume industrial action.

Meanwhile, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) distanced itself from the strike. Its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said that PTECSSAN was not affiliated with its members, which include major telecom operators like MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile. 

Adebayo stated that while ALTON is focused on freedom of association, the group in question is unfamiliar to them, and they have not engaged in formal negotiations with the union.

The involvement of contract workers in the telecoms industry has become a contentious issue, with many of these workers employed indirectly through third-party contractors and service companies. 

This system of outsourcing has raised questions about the welfare and job security of the employees, who form the backbone of critical infrastructure management within the sector. Many workers involved in the strike are engineers responsible for maintaining essential services such as base stations and fibre networks.

The Ministry of Labour has promised to resolve the situation. Princess Powei, a ministry official, acknowledged the workers’ issues and assured that efforts were being made to bring all parties to the table. She noted that the dispute would not be prolonged, as negotiations are set to commence soon.

In contrast, Huawei Nigeria has denied any involvement in the strike. A spokesperson for the company, stated that none of their direct employees were participating in the industrial action. 

However, he acknowledged that workers employed by subcontractors might be affected, distancing the company from direct responsibility for the strikers.