Following approval from the national telecommunications regulator, the highly anticipated CNII & Sustainability Conference 2025 has been rescheduled to August 7, 2025, in Lagos. Originally slated for July 30, the event was moved to accommodate a broader industry engagement hosted by the regulator.
The forum is jointly organized by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) and the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), with support from industry groups such as the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). The goal is to foster in-depth discussions on the practical implementation of the “Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024,” which was signed into law in August 2024.
Although the CNII law has been enacted, industry observers note that its impact has yet to be fully realized. The conference, themed “Industry Sustainability And CNII Conference 2025 – Way Forward,” aims to bring together stakeholders to explore how to effectively enforce the law and protect telecom infrastructure nationwide.
The event, which will take place at CitiHeight Hotel in Ikeja, is expected to host top officials from the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, network operators, regulators, security agencies, and other key industry players. Discussions will focus on implementing the CNII law, defining the roles of different stakeholders, encouraging collaboration, boosting public awareness, and sustaining growth in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Highlighting the importance of infrastructure protection, ALTON Chairman Engr. Gbenga Adebayo previously stressed the need for proper maintenance and upgrades to deter vandalism. NITRA Chairman Chike Onwuegbuchi also emphasized that while the CNII law is a critical first step, actual protection will depend on effective implementation strategies and industry-wide cooperation.
The upcoming conference is expected to generate actionable outcomes, including a framework for enforcing the CNII law and ensuring Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure is shielded from threats that could undermine national security, economic growth, and public welfare.