Nigeria to host ITU submarine cable resilience summit

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By Jessica Dogo

The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is set to host the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Nigeria.

The Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani, announced on Tuesday that the two-day summit was scheduled to commence on February 26 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Tijani recalled Nigeria’s experience during the West African submarine cable cuts in March 2023.

He noted that while the cables were owned by private companies, the responsibility for repairing them and ensuring their resilience went beyond the private sector alone.

He also mentioned that territorial issues played a role in some cases.

“When we had the cuts last year in March, many people in the country were worried because there was no access to banks due to the cable cut.

“The challenge is that typically these cables are owned by private companies, but the reality of fixing them and ensuring their resilience is not just the responsibility of the private sector.

“In some cases, multiple organisations must be involved.”

Tijani expressed appreciation for ITU’s role in placing the issue on the global agenda, which was crucial to strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and improving connectivity.

The Deputy Secretary-General of ITU, Tomas Lamanauskas, stated that there were between 150 and 200 submarine cable cuts globally each year.

Lamanauskas said that some of these cables required repairs and that various issues still hindered quick reparations worldwide.

He commended the Nigerian government for initiating discussions on protecting telecom marine cables.

“Cables undergo natural wear and tear, due to abrasions. Some cuts can be prevented, but many still require repairs.

“Regrettably, diverse global issues delay these repairs. Much of the damage comes from normal human activity,” he said.

Lamanauskas also highlighted the need for stronger coordination between submarine cable industries and other sectors, such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which oversees shipping activities.

Looking ahead, he said the challenges could be addressed through improved practices and more effective collaboration across industries.

He lauded Nigeria for taking a leadership role during 2024 cable cut, ensuring prompt repairs even though it involved private submarine cables.

He pointed out that many countries lacked a single authority responsible for submarine cable repairs, permits, and coordination with other authorities.

He expressed optimism that such issues were being addressed in several governments, noting that some had started discussions on how to organise and assign responsibilities.

Lamanauskas added, “One of the priority initiatives we are discussing is creating a list of focal points across governments worldwide, which would serve as the first point of contact in case of issues.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit seeks to foster global collaboration and find innovative solutions.

The summit also aims to engage leaders from government, industry and international organisations to strengthen this vital global digital infrastructure. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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