By 
By Chinedu James
The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Danbatta has stated that the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure will improve and strengthen the Nigeria’s defence system.
Danbatta made the statement while delivering a lecture titled “Leveraging ICT For Enhanced National Defence and Security In Nigeria” at the 17th Convocation Lecture in honour of the Graduating Cadets of 66 Regular Course and Postgraduate Students of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) this week in Kaduna.
Danbatta said the increasing volume of communications through voice technology which as of May 2018, has reached 162 million active lines, stresses the importance of deploying ICT infrastructure towards national defence and cybersecurity.
He noted that the universality of ICT and its evolution has brought about technological advancement in information management, which also presents security challenges that can only be adequately assessed, managed and responded to using highly integrated, intelligent, interactive and inherently flexible monitoring devices and applications, adding that proactive measures must always be taken by security agencies to effectively monitor, manage and prevent cybercrimes, which remains a global threat to cyberspace.
“ICT infrastructure and systems are becoming very useful in producing intelligence information and reports that could be very essential and invaluable in the task of thwarting and combating crime.
“The deployment of ICT infrastructure has transformed our society in spectacular ways by enabling profound social and economic transformation. As at May 2018, the volume of communication through voice technology in Nigeria has reached 163 million active lines.
“ICT is progressively influencing all aspects of our systems, institutions, processes and services, particularly in key sectors such as education, finance, commerce, governance, security and health,” said Danbatta.
The NCC boss stated the commission’s commitment towards national security has birthed some initiatives such as the establishment of Cyber Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT) and Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center (ngCERT) for international coordination of cybersecurity incidents, and the establishment of Emergency Communications Centres (ECC) nationwide.
He assured that the commission will continue to establish strategic partnerships and collaborations with relevant security agencies and other stakeholders of the industry to ensure ICT connectivity across the country.
