By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The Managing Director and
Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited
(NIGCOMSAT), Jane Egerton-Idehen, has called for stronger institutional
collaboration and resilient communications systems to strengthen Nigeria’s
national security, digital infrastructure and readiness for disruptions to
critical communication networks.
Ms. Egerton-Idehen made the
remarks during a panel session titled “From Silos to Sovereign Readiness” at
the Defence Futures Summit 2026, held at the Armed Forces Event and
Multipurpose Centre in Asokoro, Abuja, under the theme “Sovereign Digital
Backbone and Defence Innovation”.
Discussions focused on
anticipatory governance, resilient connectivity and the institutional
coordination required to sustain communications in an increasingly
interconnected security environment.
Ms. Egerton-Idehen
emphasised that achieving sovereign readiness requires more than technological
integration, calling for strong institutional collaboration, clearly defined
responsibilities and resilient systems capable of sustaining national security and
operational effectiveness.
She said NIGCOMSAT’s role
extends beyond providing satellite capacity, as the company forms part of
Nigeria’s broader national connectivity ecosystem and works towards resilient
communications infrastructure that supports national development, security and
continuity of essential services.
She also called for
collaboration among defence communications authorities, cybersecurity
stakeholders, satellite operators, network providers and power-system operators
to identify critical dependencies, close integration gaps and build dependable
communications systems.
As Nigeria strengthens its
defence and digital infrastructure, she said the country must move from
fragmented systems to integrated communications, from reactive responses to
anticipatory governance, and from isolated institutional capabilities to coordinated
national resilience.
The summit highlighted the
importance of ensuring that communications systems and institutions can work
together effectively when normal systems are disrupted, supporting national
readiness and the continuity of essential services.
