At the centre of this challenge is Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), the digital backbone powering Nigeria’s economy, governance, and innovation ecosystem.

Consider this: Nigeria’s fiber network is undergoing massive expansion, led by the government’s Project BRIDGE, a $2 billion, 90,000 km fiber optic backbone initiative under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to achieve universal ICT access by 2025-2030, complementing existing infrastructure and increasing private sector participation for better internet access and lower costs for ISPs.

Major players like MTN (FibreX) and Airtel already offer services, with new deployments aiming to bring fiber points closer to homes, transforming the digital landscape.

But when you read headlines such as;

• Over 50,000 telecom infrastructure destruction cases reported in five years, notes the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
• Vandalism caused over 30% of network outages in 2023, reports Techeconomy.
• Operators spent ~N14.6 billion fixing damages in 2023 alone, reports Vanguard News.

They simply show that as the economy becomes more digitised, CNII is no longer a technical consideration; it is a strategic economic asset.

Digital Infrastructure as Economic Infrastructure

Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors; fintech, telecoms, e-commerce, logistics tech, and the platform economy, are built entirely on information infrastructure.

Fibre networks, data centres, cloud platforms, payment switches, and internet exchange points form the rails on which value moves.

Any disruption to these systems, whether through vandalism, cyberattacks, or regulatory gaps, has immediate economic consequences. For a country targeting exponential GDP growth, CNII reliability directly affects productivity, investor confidence, and competitiveness.

Financial Systems and the Cost of Downtime

Digital payments and financial switching platforms now process trillions of naira annually. These systems are classified as CNII because a failure would paralyse commerce, delay wages, disrupt trade, and erode trust in the financial system.

Protecting CNII is therefore not just about security, it is about economic continuity. A $1 trillion economy requires financial infrastructure that operates at scale, with minimal downtime and strong cyber resilience.

CNII and the Scale-Up of Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Nigeria’s digital economy has been one of the most resilient growth drivers in recent years. But scaling from a growth engine to a trillion-dollar contributor requires reliable nationwide connectivity; secure data hosting and processing, and interoperable platforms across sectors.

CNII provides the framework that allows digital businesses to scale without systemic risk. Without it, growth remains fragile and uneven.

e-Governance, Revenue, and State Capacity

Beyond the private sector, CNII underpins Nigeria’s e-Governance ambitions. Digital identity systems, tax platforms, customs, land registries, and social services all rely on protected information infrastructure.

For government, CNII enables:

• Improved revenue collection
• Reduced leakages and fraud
• Faster service delivery
• Better policy data and planning

In an economy where public revenue mobilisation remains a challenge, CNII strengthens state capacity, an often overlooked but critical factor in economic expansion.

Investment Signal to Global Capital

Global investors increasingly assess digital infrastructure resilience before committing capital. Countries with clear CNII frameworks send a strong signal of regulatory maturity and long-term stability.

This matters for Nigeria’s efforts to attract hyperscale data centres, cloud service providers, fintech and digital finance investors, and digital services exporters.

CNII protection reassures investors that their assets and operations are secure from systemic disruption.

Industrialisation, AI, and the Next Growth Phase

As Nigeria moves toward smart manufacturing, agri-tech, energy tech, and AI-driven services, dependence on secure information infrastructure will deepen. Emerging technologies require low-latency networks, reliable data storage, and resilient systems.

CNII ensures that Nigeria’s next growth phase, driven by automation, data, and intelligence, rests on a stable foundation.

The Economic Cost of Infrastructure Vulnerability

Vandalised fibre cables, data centre outages, and cyber incidents already cost Nigeria billions in lost productivity annually. In a trillion-dollar economy race, such losses are not marginal, they are structural.

Strengthening CNII protections reduces economic shocks and improves national resilience, making growth more sustainable rather than episodic.

CNII as Economic Policy, Not Just Security Strategy

The key shift Nigeria must make is to treat CNII as economic policy, not merely a security or ICT issue. This requires coordination across regulators, security agencies, and the private sector to enforce CNII designation and protection, improve incident response and accountability, and align infrastructure expansion with national economic targets.

We are not ignorant of the fact that Nigeria has already issued an Executive Order on the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), signed by President Bola Tinubu and officially gazetted in June 2024.

The order, officially titled the “Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order 2024,” provides a robust legal framework to safeguard essential digital systems and networks across various economic sectors.

It aims to reduce incidents of damage, disruption, or interference with critical infrastructure, which has historically been a significant problem, particularly for telecommunications (telcos) which have suffered thousands of incidents of fiber cable damage.

However, we call for closer attention toward effective implementation and enforcement. If you look at recent Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC’s) report, 19,384 fibre optic cable cuts occurred across Nigeria between January and August 2025 alone.

The Commission deserves assistance by other agencies to ensure the purpose of CIIN Executive Order was achieved.

The average weekly attack rate on infrastructure was estimated at 1,744 incidents, including approximately 1,100 fibre cuts, 545 incidents of access denial, and 99 cases of equipment theft! This is alarming! Imaging waiting up in the morning to make a call and all networks are off because the diesel generator at a base station has been stolen.

Vandals target components such as fibre optic cables (for scrap metal), batteries, solar panels, and power cables to resell in black markets.

On the other hand, developments that come in the form of road construction and other civil engineering projects also contribute to frequent damaging of underground fibre cables, a recurring problem across various states.

There are reported cases of uncooperative host communities or local youths who were involved in deliberate destruction or access denial to sites.

We believe that,

Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy ambition will be decided less by rhetoric and more by infrastructure resilience. As the economy digitises, Critical National Information Infrastructure becomes the spine of growth, enabling scale, trust, and continuity.

For policymakers, investors, and operators, the message is clear: without strong CNII, Nigeria’s economic ambitions remain exposed; with it, they become achievable.

Running from June 28 to July 4, 2025, this week-long campaign is focused on creating nationwide awareness about the value of insurance, encouraging more Nigerians to embrace insurance coverage as a vital tool for financial protection, business continuity, and economic resilience.

Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, the president, CIIN, said,

“The aim of this campaign is to break the myths, bridge the knowledge gap, and help Nigerians understand that insurance is not a luxury—it is a necessity,”

“With the right coverage, individuals, families, and businesses can protect themselves against unforeseen risks, ensuring a more secure and sustainable future.”

Programme highlights for the upcoming events include the Insurance Awareness Walk to draw public attention to the importance of insurance in everyday life.

The  Opening Ceremony will feature Official launch with key stakeholders and policymakers discussing the role of insurance in national development and economic security.

There will also be awareness for secondary schools and MSMEs, market outreach, insurance hackathon, and a celebration of achievements from the awareness week, with awards, entertainment, and reflections on Nigeria’s journey toward greater insurance inclusion.

The Insurance Awareness Week 2025 with emphasis on ‘Insurance for All’ reaffirms CIIN’s commitment to building a culture of insurance in Nigeria—one where citizens are empowered with knowledge and equipped with the right tools to secure their lives and livelihoods.

“Insurance gives peace of mind, and peace of mind is priceless. We invite every Nigerian to join us in this movement to secure our future—together,” the CIIN President added.

Mrs. Adeyanju contested with nine other contestants in the keenly contested election, standing tall on the election results chart as number one with 1083 votes.

In her appreciation speech, she said: “I write with a deep sense of gratitude to express my heartfelt appreciation to each one of you for the tremendous love and support shown during the recently concluded campaigns and elections for the governing council seats of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN).

“The trust and confidence you have placed in me are truly humbling, and I am committed to not only meeting but exceeding your expectations. I understand the weight of the responsibilities associated with this role, and I am wholeheartedly devoted to fulfilling them, no matter how arduous the journey may be.

“My pursuit of change through collaboration and innovation has been the driving force behind my decision to embark on this path. I firmly believe that, by working together, we can elevate our institute to unprecedented levels of success.

“Your unwavering belief in me and our collective vision for innovation and a prosperous future for CIIN is deeply appreciated. I am eager and optimistic about the opportunities that await us on this journey.

“This victory is a shared triumph, not just for me, but for all of us who stand united in our vision for the future. “Thank you, once again, for your unwavering support and belief in me.”

In her campaign manifesto, Mrs. Adeyanju pledged to introduce innovations in the council, stating that she would work with other council members to reform the institute’s examination.

She said the exams, which are the same in four other African countries, could be improved further, in spite of the successes presently being achieved, by converting them to a Computer-Based Test format.

According to her, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria does not need to build a CBT center, purchase computers, or incur significant expenses, instead, it can collaborate with existing centers to conduct the exams, thereby increasing their integrity.

This change, she submitted, would also elevate the standing with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) in London. “Currently, those with CIIN qualifications who move to the UK must pass approximately five additional papers to obtain the UK certification. Conversely, individuals from the UK can receive our certificate without taking extra exams.

By creating a system that upholds greater integrity in our examinations, we can ensure that our qualifications are recognized on par with those from the CII London, making it easier for our members to relocate and have their credentials acknowledged,” she posited.

Edwin Igbiti, the president/chairman of the CIIN noted this while addressing the Fellows of the Institute at the Year 2024 CIIN Fellows’ Event, yesterday in Lagos.

Igbiti addressed Fellows as way-makers, who have paved the way for excellence in the field of insurance.

“As Fellows of this esteemed Institute, we carry a responsibility not only to uphold the highest standards of professionalism but also to champion inclusivity and accessibility within the insurance sector,” he posited.

He further urged the Fellows to take this opportunity to reflect on the impactful work that has been done and to look ahead to the opportunities that lie before them as Fellows of CIIN.

He acknowledged that their commitment to innovation, professional growth, and ethical practice sets a standard within the industry that inspires other stakeholders.

On his path, past president Sunny Adeda, the Chairman of the Society of Fellows, Sunny, noted that Fellows are not merely leaders in their field, rather, they are custodians in their Profession.

Hence, it is incumbent upon us (Fellows) to ensure that the benefits of insurance are accessible to all, irrespective of socio-economic status, geographical location, or any other barriers that may exist.

Adeda, while speaking to the reason behind the theme for the Year 2024 Edition of the Fellows’ Event; ‘Bridging the Gap: Ensuring Access and Inclusivity in Insurance – A Call to Action for Fellows’ stated that “In Nigeria, like many parts of the world, there remains a significant gap in insurance penetration and accessibility.

“Millions of our citizens are still underserved and unprotected, leaving them vulnerable to the devastating impact of unforeseen events and disasters.”

He emphasised the need for young professionals to attain the Fellowship status of the Institute, adding that the number of active Fellows of the Institute as of date is ridiculous for such an Institute.

The Guest speaker of the event, Modupe Bammeke, challenged Fellows of the Institute to bridge the gap.

“The gaps must be known, they may include a lack of awareness and understanding of insurance products, affordability constraints, cultural perceptions, and inadequate distribution channels. As Fellows, we possess the knowledge, expertise, and influence to dismantle these barriers and create pathways to greater inclusivity,” he said.

He submitted that Fellows are learned professionals, custodians of ethical standards and practice, hence their works and achievements are roadmaps for young practitioners.

Some of the participants who graced the event,  opined that Fellows should be involved in the technical decision making process for the Industry and also support the course for Industry-Governmental relationships so the Industry can gain more attention in the financial space.

[Featured Image Credit]