NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Science & Tech

Experts applaud FG over investment in cybersecurity

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By Jessica Dogo

Some experts have applauded the Federal Government for investing heavily on cybersecurity infrastructures and skills to protect Nigeria from cyber attacks and disruptions.

The experts spoke at a three-day customer workshop organised by Flexip Group (FPG) Technologies and Solutions Ltd. and Checkpoint Technologies on Wednesday in Abuja.

They said that the cybercrimes economy had reached nine trillion dollars with about 86 billion dollars transactions being monitored on daily basis globally.

Mr Rex Mafiana, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FPG Technology and Solutions, commended the Federal Government institutions for their investments in Critical National Infrastructures (CNI) and assets to protect the nation’s cyber space.

Mafiana decried the increasing rates of cyber attacks across the globe, but expressed delight on measures put in place by government to be far ahead of cyber crooks and criminals.

He advised both the public and private sectors to establish digital boundaries and borders against cyber attacks, adding that the security, trust and integrity of critical national infrastructure and assets, should under no circumstance be compromised.

The Chief Technology Officer, Checkpoints Africa, Issam El-Haddioui, spoke on how attacks were carried out by cybercrooks and criminals.

El-Haddioui said that cyber criminals targeted mainly stealing of information, intellectual properties and financial data, amongst others.

He said that the cyber criminals were motivated by either activism or financial gains, warning that most attacks commenced from phishing and identity theft.

He urged government authorities and the private sector to pay close attention to the vulnerability level in different environments and adopt seamlessly, technologies capable of checking any form of attacks.

“Cybersecurity is a journey. It is not something that you do once and forget. You have to constantly upgrade and update.

“Security is becoming more complex in the cyber space, so,it is important that all stakeholders take action and prevent attacks,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the experts listed the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as institutions that are top-notch in their operations against cybersecurity.

They also listed the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The workshop had representatives of the NNPCL, CBN, NITDA, Data Protection Commission and members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in attendance. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Agriculture , Science & Tech

FCT farmers upbeat on GM crops, seek FG’s support

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By Sylvester Thompson

Farmers in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory say they are confident that Genetically Modified (GM) crops can boost their farm yields.

The farmers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Farmers Field Day on Wednesday in Kuje, Abuja, called for government’s support in the provision of farm inputs.

The event was organised by National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).

Mr Cyprian Ede, who owns three hectares of Tela maize farm, rejected claims that no other crop could be planted or grown where a GM crop was planted.

NAN reports that Tela maize(GM maize) are hybrids genetically engineered to contain Bt genes that protects the maize against insects like stem borer and the fall armyworm and helps the crop tolerate moderate drought.

“At least, I did post emergency weed management which means grass can grow, as you can see.

“I will not waste my money trying to manage grass inside this maize farm; these were grasses on the farm which were cleared.

“As the effect of the post emergency herbicide subsided, grasses started growing on my farm again.’’

Ede, who said he turned to farming due to economic downturn, said he had been in farming since 2017.

He also spoke on the yield of the Tela maize.

“In 10 plots which is a hectare of land, if I should factor in the theft, I think it is about 42 bags,’’ Ede said.

Ede said in comparison with other varieties that yielded relatively good after treating fall armyworm, there was no insect threat in the Tela variety which was also drought tolerant.

He called on the Federal Government to support farmers with farm inputs by subsidising the seeds to enable them to get better yields to bolster the economy.

Mrs Judith Okpanachi, a beans farmer, told NAN that in her three years of planting Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea, there was no case of other crops unable to grow on the same soil.

Mr Ndaman Dantani from Chibiri Community, said that before he started his two hectares PBR cowpea farm four years ago, he was afraid as a result of the negative claims.

“But when we began using the variety for some years, we realised that there were great advantages over the other ones.

Dantani said one of the advantages was that he was not spending much money on chemicals, unlike conventional bean seeds he sprayed seven to eight times.

“With the PBR variety, you spray less, like two or three times which is more economical.

“Also, during harvest, if you do not harvest on time, it will be falling down and you will lose your farm; but this one, it will wrap and still stand erect.

“And again, the most advantageous part of it is that if you harvest, the leaves will still remain green,’’ Dantani said.

Dantani said PBR farming provided the resources to take care of his family responsibilities such as payment of school fees, feeding, among others.

He urged government to expand the initiative of GM crops to other communities.

“Government should also send more extension agents with this type of seed variety and they should make the seeds available for the reach of the common man.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Science & Tech

NITDA, UK mulls building resilient national cybersecurity architecture

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By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the United Kingdom are partnering on the UK/Nigeria Inward CyberTrade Mission to build a National Cybersecurity Architecture.

Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, at the meeting with some UK delegates on Monday in Abuja, said that President Bola Tinubu was committed to economic reforms and transformation, which digitisation could drive.

Inuwa noted that their Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0, would enhance the digitisation of the country by ensuring a digitally literate populace who are abreast of cybersecurity concerns.

He said the Federal Government was working towards embedding cybersecurity in every aspect of general activities, adding that 95 per cent of cyber breaches were as a result of human errors.

“We need to educate both the users and operators on cybersecurity, which is part of what we do and we have a target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy level now.

“We are looking at building expertise and we are working on training our people on how to safeguard our digital space,” he said.

He added that they were conducting some research on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Blockchain, Robotics and additive manufacturing.

Inuwa explained that as emerging technologies evolved, there was need for cybersecurity to also evolve.

“We need to evolve in the way we talk about cybersecurity and the way we secure the system we are building,” he said.

He added that in the past the use of AI never posed a threat but presently it required explainability to avoid misuse of the technology.

Inuwa added that issues about cybersecurity was a global concern and addressing it would require strategic partnerships and working as a global ecosystem to gain cyber diplomacy.

He added that it was collaborating with other countries who would be working with local businesses to build security systems according to Nigeria’s cyber landscape.

Mr Mark Smithson, Country Director, Department of Business and Trade (DBT), UK, said the relationship between Nigeria and the UK was valued at 7.5 billion pounds and it was committed to continue strengthening it through building safe cyber spaces.

“The UK remains firmly committed to supporting Nigeria in tackling cyber security challenges and harnessing the opportunities of the digital age as global threads evolve.

“Our partnership is more crucial than ever in ensuring a safe and resilient cyberspace for businesses, governments and citizens alike.

“The UK is proud to bring world class expertise in cyber security to Nigeria, from cutting-edge technology, to capacity building initiatives because our strong track record in cyber resilience, threat intelligence and innovation presents valuable opportunity.

“We look forward to expanding our cooperation, sharing knowledge, deepening our bilateral trade and building a secure digital future together,” Smithson said.

Dr Lawan Mohammed, Director, Cybersecurity, said the country would need expertise collaboration to build a strong cybersecurity infrastructure, especially on the effective implementation of cybersecurity frameworks.

Other areas of expertise intervention, he mentioned were in building capacity of cybersecurity experts, which, he said, were about 8,300 and were insufficient to address cyber threats across the country.

He added that the Federal Government would require expertise to develop threat intelligence, identify vulnerabilities, preserve Public Key Infrastructure and a resilient National Cybersecurity Architecture, among other areas.

Mr Ross Gill, another member of the delegation, recognised that there are growing threats across the globe, saying that partnerships and sharing best practices could help build better defenses. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Christiana Fadare

Science & Tech

Irrigate Nigeria: FG aims to boost farmers’ income – NASENI EVC

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By Sylvester Thompson

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr Halilu Khalil, says the Federal Government’s `Irrigate Nigeria project’ (INP), aims to boost farmers’ income nationwide.

Khalil said this in a press statement signed by Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, NASENI’s Director of Information, on Monday in Abuja.

According to Ayeoyenikan, Halilu made the remarks at the formal launch of the INP on Saturday at Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The statement quoted the EVC as saying that improved irrigation “helps farmers extend the number of farming cycles they can complete in a year, thereby increasing their income as farming activities continue throughout the dry season.”

Halilu further stated that the goal of the INP was to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector by providing sustainable irrigation systems that empowered farmers to engage in year-round farming.

He also revealed that the programme was a joint initiative between NASENI and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF).

For its sustainability, Halilu explained that the project was built on four key components. One of these includes the deployment of centralised NASENI irrigation systems to support farming clusters in participating communities.

Another key component, he noted, is the provision of input-enhanced seeds, fertilisers, and technical support to farmers to complement the irrigation equipment.

He further mentioned specialised nature of the commercial model, aimed at ensuring commercial viability and long-term sustainability.

He said the last component was to carry out the project on commercial basis, but with every care taken to ensure that this would not burden the participating farmers unnecessarily.

“The repayments by farmers for the support being provided will be in the form of convenient portions of their harvests, like rice paddy.

“These repayments will be pooled into a strategic food reserve that will help to stabilise commodity prices and also make available for institutional sale for export,” Halilu said.

The state governor, Bala Mohammed, was also quoted as saying that the project was a fulfillment of the essence of governance which is to create an enabling environment.

” This project is more than just about farming; it is about food security, economic empowerment, and national stability, ” Mohammed said.

According to the governor, the INP is a new model for agricultural excellence, designed to drive sustainable growth and development in the sector.

Dr Mohammed Dahiru, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), stated that the project was built on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to ensure its long-term sustainability beyond the initial phase.

He added that this approach allowed the initiative to operate on business principles while still prioritising farm households, ensuring their inclusion in the broader goal of developing Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Editing by Kevin Okunzuwa

Science & Tech

Stakeholders urge increased partnership to protect int’l submarine cables

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By Jessica Dogo

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and maritime stakeholders on Friday urged all stakeholders to cooperate in promoting cable resilience and protecting international submarine cable ecosystem.

The stakeholders said this during interviews with newsmen at the just-concluded International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit held in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that globally about 200 undersea cables were cut or disrupted as of 2024 with the most frequent damage being caused by fishing equipment and ship anchors.

Under Nigeria’s sea, some of the notable cables are the Google Equiano, the West African Cable System (WACS), South Atlantic Telecommunications Cable no.3 (SAT3) and Glo1 Cable.

Mr John Omo, Secretary-General, African Telecommunications Union, said the conference was very important because urgent collaboration was needed among all institutions to build an international submarine cable resilience network.

Omo said statistics showed that Africa was more vulnerable to cable cuts than other regions of the world because of its population and coastal terrain.

He said though the West Coast of Africa had major cable cuts, the region did not have sufficient collaborative frameworks to mitigate the challenge.

He said there was the need for individuals in the ecosystem to know their responsibilities in the event of cable cuts, adding that it was an emergency that needed to be dealt with.

“In terms of density as against population, we still have the lowest density worldwide.

“Because of the nature of our terrain and coastal systems, there are a lot more cable cuts in Africa than in any other region of the world.

“We have not had sufficient collaborative frameworks, even within countries or within our region, in terms of how to deal with this phenomenon, if there is a cable cut.

“If you think of issues of piracy and phishing in East Coast of Africa, we recently had a major cable cut.

“We need to have a system where each and every person in the ecosystem knows what to do in the event of a cable cut; it is an emergency and we need to deal with it,” he said.

Sandra Maximiano, Co-chair, Advisory Body for International Submarine Cable Resilience, said declarations at the summit showed the commitment of all organisations to partner in building a more resilient cable ecosystem.

Maximiano said the advisory board had formed three working groups that would deal with different aspects like risk mitigation, fostering collaboration, and time deployment of repairing submarine cables.

“We created these working groups so that they will synergise and submit their reports to the advisory board, after which there will be a timeline for implementation,” she said.

NAN reports that the two-day summit was attended by more than 300 delegates from across the world drawn from the 194 ITU-member countries.

Others in attendance were the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, Permanent-Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Faruk Yabo.

Others included Managing Director, NigComSat, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen and Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Malam Kashifu Inuwa.

Edited by Uche Anunne

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani,
Science & Tech

Tariff increase will guarantee quality telecom services – Minister

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By Salif Atojoko
Dr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, says the 50 per cent tariff increase for telecom companies will guarantee meaningful access to telecoms services for Nigerians.

The minister said this while briefing State House Correspondents on Thursday.

The minister had led Mr Sunil Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel and other members of the executive of the company, to a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tijani said the decision to increase telecoms tariff was difficult.

He, however, said that it was the responsibility of the government to look out for the interest of citizens, individuals and businesses.

“We have to ensure that when they invest, we can keep them afloat.

“This is a sector that employs close to half a million people in this country, including the value chain.

“Also, it was quite a difficult decision, balancing the need to allow these businesses to be sustainable, to stay afloat, but at the same time ensuring that each and every citizen can have access to telecommunication services,” said Tijani.

He stated that the Federal Government engaged KPMG to conduct a study to determine the optimal tariff allowance which led to the 50 per cent increase.

“If we chose not to allow the increase in tariff, we also were at risk of losing jobs, and some of the companies packing up.

“When you weigh that, it’s also not the best thing for the economy.

” The priority for this government is actually meaningful access.

“We don’t want our people to just have access to telecommunication services.

” We want it to be meaningful; the quality that you get is extremely important,” the minister said.

He said the Federal Government had invested in 90,000 kilometres of fiber to ensure the entire country was covered.

The minister added that the Federal Executive Council had also approved investment in additional 7,000 telecoms towers in rural areas.

He said quality access and connectivity required significant investment.

The minister added that the Federal Government must encourage the private sector to continue to make such investment.

Mittal, on his part, said Nigeria was the soul of Barthi Airtel’s operations in Africa, with the potential to match India’s advancements in digital innovation, connectivity and financial inclusion.

He said Airtel’s success in Nigeria was crucial to its overall success in Africa.

Mittal said Nigeria’s strategic importance underscored Airtel’s objective of driving growth and transformation across the African continent.

“Nigeria is the most important part of our Africa strategy.

“In fact, the entire Africa rests on the back of Nigeria for Airtel,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mufutau Ojo

Entertainment , Science & Tech

How to avoid fake `cyber-lover` traps—Experts

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Tolu Aiyegbusi

Cyber experts on Thursday advised against hurriedly getting into close acquaintances with individuals met on social media platforms, saying it could be fraught with danger.

They said painstaking efforts should be made, using physical contacts and digital tools, to ascertain individual’s background before engaging in a stronger relationship.

The experts gave the advice during interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN reports that the legal framework that ensures safe internet for users is the Cybercrime Prohibition, Prevention, etc Act (2015).

The Act provides an effective, unified and comprehensive legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of cybercrimes in Nigeria.

Oluwatoyin Dada, an internet security expert, said ladies appeared to be most vulnerable to ‘cyber-love’ related crimes.

“If you must meet (through WhatsApp groups), be sure that the number is a properly registered number; ask for their pictures, get their names and share same update on the group.

“It is important to share when you are expected to return and turn on location sharing device while you’re out for added peace of mind.”

Dada said these rules apply to private job interviews; for both drivers and customers of e-hailing apps.

Eniola Ebuka, a social media enthusiast, therefore, advised against traveling long distances to meet social media friends.

Ebuka said where such visits become necessary, sleeping over night with them should be avoided.

“If they ask for personal or financial information too soon; if their behaviour or demand to meet you in person is overly intense or persistent, that is a red flag,’’ Ebuka said.

Ebuka also advised running a search with their social media account names, saying that “if you find multiple accounts on one platform with the same picture, they’re probably fake’’.

“You can also run an image search –to do this, save one of the person’s `selfies` or images on your device, then go to images.google.com and upload the image.

“You’ll be able to see if the picture matches the name or has a criminal record.

“Try and look for mutual friends or connections on social media, this can help establish credibility and trust and you can build the relationship gradually,’’ she said.

Ebuka advised ladies to avoid being quick to share personal information, challenges or weakness too quickly.

Abass Yaro, an ex-police officer, advised ladies not to feel pressured to meet their dates in a private or secluded locations.

“Let them always meet in a well-populated area like a coffee shop, restaurant or a park.

“If you have to excuse yourself at any point, such as to use the restroom, do not leave your purse, drink or cell phone unattended.

“Being in control of your transportation, including transport fare, gives you control and the ability to leave whenever you feel uncomfortable.

“Avoid secluded locations or private spaces such as invitee’s home or office, until you’ve established trust over a long period of time,’’ Yaro said.  (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Uche Anunne

Science & Tech

Nigeria, ITU seek collective action to address submarine cable disruptions

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Nigeria, ITU seek collective action to adress submarine cable disruptions

 

By Jessica Dogo

The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) have called for collective action to address submarine cables disruptions and cuts globally.

The two organisations made the call at the opening ceremony of the maiden ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit on Wednesday in Abuja.

They said that the disruptions could slow down the growth and development of digital economy in the world.

The Secretary-General of ITU, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said that global attention should be focused on measures to sustain the spate of rapid developments in the digital economy sector.

Bogdan-Martin said that submarine cables connectivity accounted for 95 per cent of the digital economy backbone.

She said that at the moment, digital economy accounted for the greater part of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that it is expected to hit 16.5 trillion dollars by 2028.

According to her, the past two decades have seen a vast digital shift, with new socio-economic opportunities as well as challenges.

“The number of internet users in 2005 during the world summit stood at one billion.

“At the end of last year, we had 5.5 billion internet users and today, the global digital economy is growing faster than global GDP and is expected to reach 16.5 trillion U.S. dollars by 2028.

“Over the next decade, it is estimated that more than two-thirds of the new value creation could come from digitally-enabled companies.

“This global undersea network is emblematic of the innovation and the investment required to connect the world meaningfully.” Bogdan-Martin said.

She said that despite the resilience of undersea cables, about 200 disruptions were witnessed yearly, while fixing them across continents and countries is difficult and slow.

She said that the global economy felt the impact of submarine cable cuts and disruptions.

According to her, submarine cables are put in place by an interplay of technology, business, and policy that has to be considered holistically.

“That is why this summit includes a diversity of stakeholders that are essential to this conversation,” she said.

Bogdan-Martin commended Nigeria for hosting the event.

She called on the ITU advisory body, the academia and other stakeholders to work toward a lasting solution to the challenges of undersea cables cuts and disruptions.

The Co-Chair of the Advisory Board for ITU, Prof. Sandra Maximiano, underscored the importance of the board for submarine cable business and economy at the summit.

Maximiano said that positive developments had been witnessed in the industry.

“It is no coincidence that we are meeting here in Abuja today, given that several cable cuts occurred in March last year affecting multiple countries in West Africa, including Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal.

“This incident highlighted the critical importance of subsea cable businesses in this region, with some estimates indicating that over 70 million customers were infected.

“Nigeria is served by several submarine cable systems, many of which also land in my home country, Portugal, including Maniwari.

“But the Africa coast to Europe, Etihanu, and to Africa, other Western African countries are served by only a single submarine cable,” Maximiano said.

Earlier, the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said that submarine cable disruption was a global imperative.

Tijani said that it affected the financial market, trade, education, health systems, and even governance, adding that it was not a technical or industry-specific challenge.

According to the minister, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria is committed to strengthening its digital infrastructure and advancing policies that support connectivity, innovation, and economic growth.

“We are taking decisive steps as a nation to recognise and protect critical national infrastructure, aligning with our broader efforts to enhance digital resilience across all sectors.

“As a government, we are also deeply invested in leveraging digital property infrastructure, promoting global access, and expanding broadband penetration, ensuring that connectivity remains a catalyst for economic transformation and revolution.

“The outcome of this summit will not only influence policy and investment decisions, but also serve as the foundation for global cooperation and long-term resilience,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day summit is being attended by more than 300 delegates from the 194 all ITU-member countries.

Also attending are the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, and the Permanent-Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Faruk Yabo.

Others are the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Inuwa;  the National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji; and the Managing Director, NigComSat, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Judiciary , Science & Tech

Judicial system: NDPC calls for data protection awareness

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By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), says data protection awareness is important for the judiciary system to secure equal rights for data-related matters.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner, NDPC, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN reports that NDPC had in a statement said it has concluded plans to partner National Judicial Institute (NJI) to ensure data protection in the judicial system.

The statement was issued by the commission’s Head of Media, Mr Itunu Dosekun.

Justifying the move, Olatunji told NAN that the judicial system needed to be abreast with the requirements of data protection so as to avert injustice in data-related cases.

“We are in an era of disruptive technologies and a lot of people are on the digital space and the way one is treated affects others.

“We expect that justice on issues of data protection should be tripartite in nature, such that judgement in the entire spectrum does not affect the right of others.

“Decisions on enjoyment of data privacy rights in relation to one citizen have fundamental implications on all citizens,’’ he said.

Olatunji further said that countries globally were putting adequate measures in place to ensure enforceable data protection rights as well as to establish data protection authorities to enforce data protection laws.

The national commissioner also said that in the digital age the protection of the privacy of all citizens worldwide was paramount. (NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Science & Tech

Nigeria to host ITU submarine cable resilience summit

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By Jessica Dogo

The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is set to host the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Nigeria.

The Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani, announced on Tuesday that the two-day summit was scheduled to commence on February 26 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Tijani recalled Nigeria’s experience during the West African submarine cable cuts in March 2023.

He noted that while the cables were owned by private companies, the responsibility for repairing them and ensuring their resilience went beyond the private sector alone.

He also mentioned that territorial issues played a role in some cases.

“When we had the cuts last year in March, many people in the country were worried because there was no access to banks due to the cable cut.

“The challenge is that typically these cables are owned by private companies, but the reality of fixing them and ensuring their resilience is not just the responsibility of the private sector.

“In some cases, multiple organisations must be involved.”

Tijani expressed appreciation for ITU’s role in placing the issue on the global agenda, which was crucial to strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and improving connectivity.

The Deputy Secretary-General of ITU, Tomas Lamanauskas, stated that there were between 150 and 200 submarine cable cuts globally each year.

Lamanauskas said that some of these cables required repairs and that various issues still hindered quick reparations worldwide.

He commended the Nigerian government for initiating discussions on protecting telecom marine cables.

“Cables undergo natural wear and tear, due to abrasions. Some cuts can be prevented, but many still require repairs.

“Regrettably, diverse global issues delay these repairs. Much of the damage comes from normal human activity,” he said.

Lamanauskas also highlighted the need for stronger coordination between submarine cable industries and other sectors, such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which oversees shipping activities.

Looking ahead, he said the challenges could be addressed through improved practices and more effective collaboration across industries.

He lauded Nigeria for taking a leadership role during 2024 cable cut, ensuring prompt repairs even though it involved private submarine cables.

He pointed out that many countries lacked a single authority responsible for submarine cable repairs, permits, and coordination with other authorities.

He expressed optimism that such issues were being addressed in several governments, noting that some had started discussions on how to organise and assign responsibilities.

Lamanauskas added, “One of the priority initiatives we are discussing is creating a list of focal points across governments worldwide, which would serve as the first point of contact in case of issues.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit seeks to foster global collaboration and find innovative solutions.

The summit also aims to engage leaders from government, industry and international organisations to strengthen this vital global digital infrastructure. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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