The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has raised alarm over the escalating damage to telecom infrastructure, revealing that MTN, Airtel, and other operators suffer over 1,100 fibre cuts every week. The Commission described the situation as a national emergency, warning that these disruptions undermine digital services and threaten national security.
Speaking at a conference in Lagos, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by Edoyemi Ogoh, said telecom companies are also reporting over 500 weekly incidents of access denial and nearly 100 theft cases, compounding the crisis. These figures, he said, translate directly into dropped calls, failed transactions, and disrupted emergency services.
Maida emphasized that such incidents are major obstacles to Nigeria’s digital transformation goals, adding that the Commission is responding through enforcement, education, and collaboration with security agencies. Telecom infrastructure has been declared CNII by President Tinubu, placing a national security obligation on all stakeholders.
Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, criticized lax security by some operators and blamed a thriving black market for stolen telecom parts. He called for tighter enforcement and prosecution to deter saboteurs. NITRA Chairman Chike Onwuegbuchi proposed a Telecom Infrastructure Protection Trust Fund to support industry efforts in curbing vandalism and theft.
