The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) has underscored the judiciary’s vital role in driving digital transformation and protecting telecom infrastructure.
This was made during the 2024 Annual Workshop for Judges on Legal and Regulatory Issues in the Communications Industry at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja. This year’s event, centered around the theme “The Role of the Judiciary in Accelerating Digital Transformation in Nigeria,” aimed to enhance the judiciary’s role in supporting the country’s digital transition.
In his opening address, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, highlighted the urgency of digital transformation and the pivotal role of the judiciary in enforcing laws to protect telecommunications infrastructure. Dr. Maida noted that the Presidential Order, signed by President Bola Tinubu in July, designates all telecommunications assets as Critical National Information Infrastructure, aimed at curbing vandalism and ensuring reliable communications services. He stressed the importance of judicial discretion in protecting these assets, as well as the need for collaboration between the judiciary and the NCC in shaping policies that bolster Nigeria’s digital economy.
Dr. Maida also outlined the NCC’s broad mandate, which includes facilitating affordable and accessible telecommunications services. He emphasized that strategic partnerships, particularly with the judiciary, are essential to fostering a stable digital economy, where investor and consumer confidence is paramount. The EVC encouraged judicial officers to adapt legal principles to emerging technologies to sustain Nigeria’s digital advancement.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, also delivered a keynote address underscoring the judiciary’s role in promoting digital justice. Justice Kekere-Ekun addressed the risks of cybersecurity threats, such as personal data breaches and vulnerabilities in online banking systems. She stressed the need for the judiciary to safeguard individual rights in the digital space, enforce online contracts, and interpret existing laws within digital contexts to foster a trustworthy digital economy.
Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed optimism that the workshop would equip judicial officers with technical skills essential for handling disputes in the telecommunications sector. She commended the NCC for its consumer protection efforts and reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to supporting fair practices and coherent law interpretation in the sector.
The workshop provided a platform for judges and legal experts to explore the critical intersections between law and digital technology, fostering discussions on how the judiciary can facilitate Nigeria’s digital transformation.