The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) have agreed to partner and tackle the nation’s security challenges with the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs)

This partnership agreement was reached in Abuja when the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) received in audience officials of the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) led by the Director, Research Estimates and Library Services, Dr. Adegboyega Karim

Speaking during the visit to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta at the NCC’s Head Office, Dr. Karim, said the visit was on a fact-finding mission to enrich ongoing research that focuses on globalization and regional integration for sustainable development in Africa.

Karim was in the NCC along with a delegation of Executive Intelligence Management Course Sixteen Participants (EIM16), a study group with representations from various security agencies under the auspices of NISS, typically senior officers in security agencies, including the military, police, intelligence services, and other relevant agencies.

Karim stated that the Commission has made giant strides advancing the course of digital economy development in Nigeria, adding that its regulatory processes provide a good opportunity for the collaboration that would strengthen the group to research into matters regarding telecommunications and national security.

Director, Special Duties of the Commission, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, who received the team on behalf of Danbatta, affirmed the readiness of the Commission to collaborate with the Institute, and any private and public institution that is focused on national development.

Giving insight into advancements made in ICTs by the commission, Adinde said the NCC has continued to promote the deployment of robust digital infrastructure capable of supporting and improving the security of lives and property.

“As a way of consolidating on the tremendous successes that had been recorded in the telecoms industry through effective regulatory regime 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,” he said.

Adinde explained to the visiting delegation on NCC’s efforts towards ensuring adequate protection for telecoms facilities, across the nooks and crannies of the country where it is treated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), the building of Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as series of collaborations with relevant agencies to ensure effective connectivity to individuals and institutions.