Abolaji Adebayo 
Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has become a vital engine of economic growth and innovation.
With the increasing reliance on digital platforms for business, governance, and social interaction, the resilience and security of ICT infrastructure have never been more critical.
However, Nigeria faces unique challenges that make this infrastructure vulnerable to damage, including inadequate power supply, cyber threats, and physical security risks.
The recent looting and destruction of the Digital Industrial Park (DIP) in Kano, built by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), is one of the major chaos that could set the sector into retrogression.
To ensure the continued growth and reliability of the ICT sector, it is essential to adopt effective strategies for preventing ICT infrastructure damage in Nigeria.
Power Supply Issues
One of the most significant challenges facing ICT infrastructure in Nigeria is the unreliable power supply. Frequent power outages and fluctuations can cause hardware failures, data corruption, and disruptions in service delivery.
To mitigate this risk, organisations are investing in alternative power sources such as solar energy, inverters, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.
These solutions provide backup power during outages and help stabilise power fluctuations, protecting critical ICT equipment from damage. However, telecoms operators in the country are lamenting the high cost they have to spend on diesel to power their stations.
The cost of powering Nigeria’s communications network rose by 34.57 per cent to N429.43 billion in 2023 as diesel prices increased.
In 2023, telecommunication companies spent about N429.43 billion on fueling base stations, an increase of 34.57 per cent from the N319.11 billion they spent in 2022.
This is as diesel prices soared in 2022 and remained at an elevated level in 2023. e of diesel continued to soar, the Head of Operations, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbolahan Awonuga, said: “Power is key.
It determines everything. Even though there is an increase in virtually the price of everything in the economy, telecom tariff remains the same. This means that there are a lot of difficulties.
Revenue has reduced and prices of other inputs have changed, but tariffs are still the same.” In an appeal to the House of Representatives, telcos decried how inflation, currency devaluation, sustained difficulty in accessing foreign exchange at an affordable rate, rising energy costs, the rising cost of securing telecom facilities and field personnel in the face of worsening insecurity, and more are negatively impacting their businesses.
The ALTON President, Gbenga Adebayo, also commented: “For our industry to remain sustainable, our prices have to reflect the cost of production. This goes without saying that we will also review rates at the appropriate time after consultation with all the stakeholders to reflect the current cost of inputs.”
Cybersecurity
Nigeria has seen a rise in cyber threats, including hacking, phishing, ransomware, and other forms of cybercrime. These threats can severely compromise ICT infrastructure, leading to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.
Strengthening cybersecurity defenses is essential to prevent these attacks. Organisations are urged to implement robust firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption technologies to protect their networks and data.
Regular cybersecurity training for employees is also crucial to raise awareness and reduce the risk of human error.
Additionally, experts said adopting a national cybersecurity framework that aligns with international standards can help enhance the overall security posture of the country’s ICT infrastructure.
Vandalism
It has become a norm in Nigeria that ICT infrastructure is vandalised and or stolen by some unscrupulous youths. Such an act was displayed during the last #EndBadGovernance protest; the protesters descended on the Kano
Encouraging development and adoption of locally produced ICT hardware and software can also reduce dependence on foreign technologies and enhance the resilience of the infrastructure
ICT Park and carted away about 150 world-class personal computers (PCs) and laptops before setting the digital center on fire.
Level Of Damage
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, lamented the wanton destruction while featuring on a Channels TV programme and updated the public on the level of damages on the multi-million Naira ICT capacity building project in Kano.
Estimating that the attack by the protesters would run into several millions of Naira, the minister hinted that to mitigate the huge losses on the project; a Kano-based company had expressed its interest in helping renovate the Park.
He said: “This property is one of the properties that the last administration actually worked on, but they didn’t deliver it. A number of things were incomplete. It was only just two months ago that the last set of equipment was put there.
And we just agreed two weeks ago to launch the facility next week.” Speaking on the level of damages of the facility in terms of materials and monetary value, the minister said: “It will be millions if not billions because it’s a lovely building.
Apart from the building, I think, on the top of my head, we have between 123 to 150 computers, both PCs and laptops, there. “In fact, what was missing was that the generator needed a little more work, and the power backup needed to be done in the space before we could start using the computers.
“That was the last we asked the contractor to supply, and we were meant to go in and put it to good use, but this is part of what you get with protests.”
Physical Security
Physical security is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of protecting ICT infrastructure in Nigeria.
Experts said data centers, server rooms, and telecommunications facilities must be secured against unauthorised access, vandalism, and theft.
According to them, implementing measures such as surveillance cameras, access control systems, and security personnel can significantly reduce the risk of physical damage.
“In areas prone to civil unrest or other security threats, organisations should consider fortifying their facilities with additional protective measures such as reinforced walls and barriers.”
Disaster
Natural disasters such as floods, fires, and storms, as well as manmade disasters like sabotage and accidents, pose significant risks to ICT infrastructure in Nigeria. Building redundancy into ICT systems is essential to ensure continuity in the event of a disaster.
This, according to the experts, includes deploying backup servers, redundant network connections, and alternative data centers in geographically dispersed locations.
Developing a comprehensive disaster recovery plan (DRP) that includes data backup, system restoration, and emergency response procedures is also encouraged.
Regularly testing the DRP ensures that all stakeholders are prepared to respond effectively to any disaster scenario.
Regulatory Compliance
The Nigerian government plays a crucial role in protecting ICT infrastructure through the formulation and enforcement of regulatory policies.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other relevant agencies are advised to continue to develop and enforce regulations that promote the security and resilience of ICT infrastructure.
This includes standards for data protection, cybersecurity, and physical infrastructure security. Compliance with these regulations by both public and private sector organisations is essential to creating a secure and reliable ICT environment in Nigeria.
Collaboration
Preventing ICT infrastructure damage in Nigeria requires collaboration between the government, private sector, and other stakeholders.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can be instrumental in developing and implementing strategies to protect critical ICT assets. For example, the government can partner with private companies to improve cybersecurity awareness, enhance physical security measures, and invest in reliable power infrastructure.
Additionally, collaboration with international organisations can help Nigeria adopt global best practices and access the latest technologies for protecting ICT infrastructure.
Local Content
Developing local expertise and resources is vital for the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s ICT infrastructure. Investing in education and training programs to build a skilled workforce in ICT and cybersecurity is essential.
Encouraging development and adoption of locally produced ICT hardware and software can also reduce dependence on foreign technologies and enhance the resilience of the infrastructure.
Local content development not only boosts the economy but also ensures that the ICT infrastructure is better suited to Nigeria’s unique challenges and needs.
Environmental considerations
Nigeria’s ICT infrastructure is also vulnerable to environmental factors such as extreme weather conditions, high temperatures, and flooding.
To prevent damage from these factors, organisations have been urged to consider environmental risks in the design and location of ICT facilities.
For instance, data centers should be equipped with climate control systems to regulate temperature and humidity, while critical infrastructure should be located in areas less prone to flooding.
Additionally, adopting green ICT practices, such as energy efficient data centers and sustainable waste management, can help mitigate environmental risks while contributing to environmental sustainability.
Last line
The prevention of ICT infrastructure damage in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the unique challenges of the country.
