The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) will work together to foster strategic partnership that would enhance the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) toward boosting national security.
Speaking recently, the Institute’s Director of Research Estimates and Library Services, Dr. Adegboyega Karim, said the visit was part of a fact-finding mission to advance ongoing research that focuses on globalization and regional integration for sustainable development in Africa. Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta is the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission.
Executive Intelligence Management Course Sixteen Participants (EIM16), a study group with representatives from several security agencies, including the military, police, intelligence services, and others, were brought to the Commission by Karim.
He pointed out that the Commission has made significant strides in the development of Nigeria’s digital economy, and that its regulatory processes offer a good opportunity for collaboration so that the group can conduct additional research on issues related to telecommunications and national security.
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Special Duties of the Commission, welcomed the team on behalf of Danbatta and reaffirmed the Commission’s openness to work with the Institute and, in fact, any commercial or public institution devoted to national development.
Commenting about the developments in ICTs, Adinde stated that the Commission had kept pushing for the implementation of a solid digital infrastructure that could support and enhance the protection of people and property.
According to him, “As a way of consolidating on the tremendous successes that had been recorded in the telecoms industry through effective regulatory regime emplaced by the Commission, the Federal Government has formulated a number of policies such as the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), among others, which serve as a compass for our efforts at building a resilient digital economy that supports security.”
Adinde provided the visiting delegation with information about NCC’s efforts to ensure adequate protection for telecoms facilities throughout the nation where they are treated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), the construction of Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) throughout states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as a series of collaborations with relevant agencies to ensure effective connectivity to people and institutions.