Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani has been appointed co-chair of the International Telecommunication Union’s advisory body focused on submarine cable resilience.
This body will tackle pressing concerns regarding the vulnerability of submarine cables, which carry over 99 percent of international data and are essential for global communication and economic activities.
In a statement posted on his X account, Tijani emphasized that the advisory group will serve as a platform for international collaboration, uniting governments, regulators, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to enhance the safety, redundancy, and protection of submarine cables.
Tijani will co-chair the body alongside Sandra Maximiano, Chair of ANACOM’s Board of Directors. Their two-year term is set to commence on November 1, 2024. The minister highlighted that this appointment reflects Nigeria’s commitment to advocating for resilience in global digital infrastructure, especially regarding subsea fiber-optic cables. “This is an area we are particularly invested in, considering our recent challenges with cuts to our submarine cables,” he stated.
As the world increasingly relies on stable, high-speed internet, the ITU has reiterated the importance of this advisory panel in promoting dialogue and collaboration among various stakeholders. Tijani and Maximiano will work together with governments, regulators, and industry experts to provide strategic guidance aimed at enhancing the resilience of submarine cable systems, which face growing threats from natural disasters and accidental damage.
Additionally, the ITU has announced that the nomination process for members of the Advisory Body is now open, running until October 15, 2024, through the ITU’s official nomination form.
