The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have issued a stern directive to construction firms and engineering contractors: the era of “accidental” damage to fibre optic cables without consequence is over.
In a joint statement released in Abuja, the agencies confirmed that individuals and companies responsible for fibre cuts during road construction or excavation will now face criminal prosecution. This move follows an alarming rise in network disruptions that threaten Nigeria’s digital economy and national security.
Under the 2024 Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, fibre optic cables are no longer viewed as mere utility lines but as essential national assets. Consequently, damage caused by negligence, unauthorized digging, or poor project coordination is now a punishable offense under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015.
The agencies emphasized that these networks are the backbone of:
The Digital Economy: Supporting billions in financial transactions.
Public Safety: Powering emergency response and government communication.
Social Connectivity: Enabling telecommunications and business operations nationwide.
New Guidelines for Contractors
To avoid legal action, the NCC and NSCDC are mandating that all federal, state, and local contractors, as well as private developers, adhere to the following protocols:
Pre-Construction Audits: Mandatory checks to identify existing fibre routes before breaking ground.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Formal consultation with telecom operators and regulators prior to project commencement.
Strict Compliance: Adherence to approved excavation and Right-of-Way (RoW) procedures.
”Repeated disruptions lead to massive economic losses and risks to public safety,” the statement read. “Public cooperation and contractor accountability are crucial in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital backbone.”
Reporting and Enforcement
In the event of accidental damage, contractors are required to report incidents immediately to allow for swift repairs. However, immediate reporting does not automatically exempt firms from investigations into negligence.
This crackdown follows recent data showing the scale of the crisis; for instance, MTN Nigeria alone reported over 9,200 fibre cuts in 2025 due to vandalism and construction-related damage.
