Nigeria, ITU rally supports against internet disruptions

Nigerian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, have rallied stakeholders across the world to protect submarine cables and prevent internet glitches.

Speaking at the commencement of a two-day International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, Tijani said that the resilience of submarine cables directly impacts economies, security, and digital inclusion globally.

According to him, despite the importance of submarine cables to global economies, protecting the infrastructure has remained a major challenge.

Tijani urged a collaborative effort among stakeholders worldwide to protect submarine cables and guarantee uninterrupted internet traffic.

“The resilience of our submarine-labelled network is an issue of paramount importance, one that directly impacts economies, security, and digital inclusion globally. Submarine cables form the backbone of global digital connectivity, carrying over 95 percent of international traffic, linking continents, and enabling the smooth operation of modern economies.

“Yet, despite their significance, this infrastructure remains vulnerable. Whether from natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, accidental damage, or other unforeseen factors, the theme of this summit underscores the need for collaborative action in addressing these vulnerabilities and ensuring a resilient, secure, and sustainable world. This is not just a technical or industry-specific challenge.

“As a government, we are also deeply invested in leveraging digital infrastructure, promoting global access, and expanding broadband penetration, ensuring that connectivity remains a catalyst for economic transformation and revolution. The outcomes of this summit will not only influence policy and investment decisions but also serve as the foundation for global cooperation and long-term resilience,” he stated.

On her part, Bogdan-Martin emphasized the importance of protecting submarine cables, noting that there are between 100 and 200 internet disruptions annually.

According to her, by improving anticipation of risks, the world can better mitigate submarine cable cuts and prevent internet disruptions.

“But despite how robust submarine cables are, we’re seeing somewhere between 100 and 200 disruptions each year, sometimes with significant delays in repairs.

“Entire economies, as many participants in this room can attest, feel the impact of these disruptions to cable service. Submarine cables are established through an interplay of technology, business, and policy that must be considered holistically. That’s why this summit includes a diversity of stakeholders essential to this conversation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, meaningful connectivity requires resilient infrastructure, but it also demands proactive, data-driven approaches to risk assessment.

“By better anticipating risks, we can prepare for swift, coordinated action in response. Our strategies must be environmentally responsible if they are to be truly sustainable. In the Global Digital Compact adopted by UN member states last September, member states committed to ensuring that digital infrastructure and equipment are sustainably designed to address environmental challenges by 2030,” she stated.

DAILY POST recalls that last year, undersea cable cuts resulted in an internet outage affecting multiple countries in West Africa, including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal.