IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited, has announced a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to bolster the security of critical telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The Holding Limited is one of the world’s largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure by tower count.
In Nigeria alone, its portfolio boasts of over 16,000 telecommunications towers and more than 15,000 kilometers of deployed fiber, making IHS Nigeria a key enabler of the country’s connectivity.
The NSCDC, which is the federal agency mandated to safeguard critical national information infrastructure (CNII), recently formalized this partnership through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Details of the MoU
The agreement underscores a joint commitment to addressing persistent threats such as vandalism, theft, and sabotage of telecommunications sites, fiber optic lines, and related infrastructure.
Under the MoU, IHS Nigeria and the NSCDC will collaborate to design and implement enhanced security strategies aimed at protecting IHS Nigeria’s assets and other telecom infrastructure deemed critical to Nigeria’s digital economy.
The NSCDC will provide support in areas including site surveillance, emergency response, and incident reporting.
Additionally, the agency will assist with tower decommissioning procedures and the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in damaging or tampering with telecom infrastructure.
Remarks
Speaking on the partnership, Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Nigeria, said, “At IHS, we are committed to enabling connectivity. This partnership with the NSCDC marks a significant step in enhancing the resilience and reliability of telecommunications services in Nigeria. By working closely with the agency responsible for enforcing the protection of telecommunications towers as critical national infrastructure, we aim to secure our operations and deliver improved service quality for users across the country.”
Also commenting, NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmad Abubakar, stated, “The Corps has a clear mandate to protect critical national infrastructure, and IHS Nigeria’s extensive telecom assets fall within this purview. We view IHS as a strategic partner whose infrastructure is vital to the functioning of numerous organizations nationwide. Through this collaboration, we intend to provide even greater operational support and efficiency in safeguarding telecommunications facilities. Our doors remain open to continued engagement, and we look forward to deepening this important relationship with IHS Nigeria.”
Other details
IHS Towers is one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure globally by tower count, with a strong focus on emerging markets.
The company owns over 39,000 towers across eight countries, including Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia.
The NSCDC is a paramilitary agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria tasked with protecting lives and property, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, and ensuring the security of critical national infrastructure and assets across the country.
