TheCable

The federal government says it is seeking to review international laws and collaborations to adequately protect undersea cables.

On March 14, submarine cable cuts affected subsea cable providers and disrupted internet traffic in major parts of Africa — including Nigeria.

Consequently, telecommunications companies as well as banks were significantly affected.

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, said he would be engaging regional and global bodies to accelerate efforts on the review of undersea cable regulations.

The minister lauded the leadership of Globacom, MTN Nigeria, and MainOne for collaborating to limit the impact of the incident.

“Some crisis help strengthen economies and people when used as impetus for growth. The unfortunate incident of the submarine cable cuts is helping to build anti-fragility into our digital economy,” the minister said in a post on X on Sunday.

“I must commend the selflessness shown by the leadership of @GloWorld @WIOCC_ @MTNNG @Mainoneservice and the entire sector in coming together to limit the impact of the cuts. Your actions are helping us all to better prepare for the future.

“This is also an opportunity for us to review international laws and collaborations to adequately protect undersea cables and I will be engaging regional and global bodies to accelerate efforts on this crucial agenda.”

On the internet disruption being experienced, Tijani said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is collaborating with all key stakeholders to resolve the matter “in the shortest possible time”.