The general manager of Regulatory Affairs at MTN Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme, has called on citizens and authorities to regard telecommunications infrastructure as vital national assets rather than merely the property of telecom providers.
Ikeme made these remarks while sharing his perspective as a member of the telecommunications industry and his experience in the regulatory field with participants of the MTN Media Innovation Programme in Lagos.
Highlighting the urgency, Ikeme stated that network infrastructure is often targeted during disputes with telecom companies, leading to deliberate acts of vandalism or service disruptions.
He stressed that such critical assets deserve the same level of protection as any essential national facility, arguing, “You cannot destroy national infrastructure or shut it down whenever there is a grievance.
With the protection of the government, the current administration has declared telecommunications infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, deserving of this level of security. “
Ikeme expressed optimism that this development would reduce destructive incidents and foster a more stable environment for telecommunications services.
Looking ahead, Ikeme reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to long-term investment in Nigeria, stating that, ‘we intend to remain, to grow, and to keep contributing positively to the nation’s development.’
In closing, Ikeme touched on the evolving landscape of telecommunications in Nigeria, noting the importance of media support in promoting constructive narratives.
