Nigeria is set
to host the inaugural International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit organized
by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. The summit is expected to bring together global leaders, experts, and stakeholders to address the
critical issue of protecting subsea cable infrastructure, which forms the
backbone of the world’s internet and telecommunications networks.
Ahead of the
summit, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation,
and Digital Economy, joined forces with Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary
General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to brief the press
on the importance of ensuring the integrity and resilience of submarine cables.
The briefing highlighted the urgent need for international collaboration to
prevent disruptions to these vital infrastructures, which are essential for
global communication, commerce, and innovation.
Submarine
cables carry over 95% of the world’s internet traffic, making them a critical
component of the global digital economy. However, these cables are vulnerable
to damage from natural disasters, human activities, and geopolitical tensions.
Disruptions to submarine cables can have far-reaching consequences, including
internet outages, economic losses, and compromised national security.
Nigeria, under
the leadership of Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, is at the forefront of the global
conversation on submarine cable resilience. The country’s proactive approach to
this issue is exemplified by its co-chairmanship of the ITU Submarine Cable
Resilience Advisory Body, which was inaugurated in 2024. Dr. Tijani co-chairs
the advisory body alongside Professor Sandra Maximiano, Head of Portugal’s
National Communications Authority (ANACOM).
Ahead of the
summit, the ITU Submarine Cable Resilience Advisory Body will hold its first
in-person meeting in Abuja. This landmark gathering will bring together
delegates from ITU member countries to discuss strategies for enhancing the
resilience of submarine cable infrastructure. The advisory body’s work is
critical to developing international standards, best practices, and policies to
protect these vital assets.
Dr. Tijani
expressed his gratitude for the ITU’s leadership and welcomed delegates from
around the world to Nigeria. “The resilience of submarine cables is not just
a technical issue; it is a matter of global importance that affects every
aspect of our interconnected world,” he said. “Nigeria is proud to lead
this critical discourse and to host this summit, which will shape the future of
global connectivity.”
The
International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit is expected to serve as a
platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, explore innovative solutions, and
forge partnerships to address the challenges facing submarine cable
infrastructure.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
