Keypoints:
- Telecom vandalism triggers costly service blackouts
- Millions offline as networks collapse nationwide
- Sector warns risks to economy and security
WHEN phone and internet networks went dark across nine Nigerian states in June, millions of people suddenly found themselves unable to make calls, transfer money or use digital platforms. The blackout, which paralysed businesses and disrupted personal lives, was blamed on a fibre-optic cable deliberately cut in Lekki, an affluent district of Lagos.
For telecoms operators, it was not an isolated event but part of a disturbing trend. Across Nigeria, vandalism of telecom infrastructure has become endemic — driven by theft, sabotage and sometimes sheer opportunism. From jihadist groups seeking to disrupt communications in the north, to thieves prising batteries and diesel from base stations in the south, the problem is spreading fast.
‘The users do not know the outages are due to acts of vandalism, they just blame the poor network,’ said Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), in comments reported by AFP.
Growing costs for operators
Repair bills are mounting. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, between 2018 and 2022 there were at least 50,000 major cases of damage to telecom facilities. Each incident forces companies to divert funds away from network expansion into costly repairs.
Nigeria’s largest operator, MTN, logged more than 6,000 cases of fibre damage in 2023 alone. Industry officials say that cost the sector about $23 million in repairs. Airtel, the second-largest provider, reports roughly 40 cases of fibre vandalism every single day.
Accidental destruction from construction work compounds the challenge, but it is theft that is fuelling the most serious losses. In an economy where inflation is eroding incomes, stolen cables and parts fetch high prices on the black market.
Batteries and fuel stolen for homes
A growing side-effect is the resale of stolen telecom equipment to households desperate for power alternatives. As the national grid falters, Nigerians are increasingly turning to generators and solar installations. Telecom experts say some of the batteries taken from substations re-emerge as second-hand inverter batteries in homes and offices.
‘Batteries from substations end up in people’s homes and offices as second-hand inverter batteries. Generators and diesel are not safe either,’ Adebayo said.
Large companies have begun fitting batteries and generators with electronic trackers to reduce losses. But in a country with sprawling urban centres and limited enforcement, operators admit that technology alone cannot stop the theft.
Economic risks mounting
Connectivity is no longer a luxury in Nigeria’s economy. Digital services contributed around 18 percent of gross domestic product in the last quarter of 2024, reflecting the country’s deepening reliance on mobile data.
When networks collapse, the consequences ripple quickly. Traders lose sales as mobile payments stall, commuters are stranded without ride-hailing apps, and students cannot access online classes. In rural communities, where mobile phones often provide the only connection to family, financial services and emergency assistance, fibre cuts can leave people stranded for days.
‘Any disruption has far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability and national security,’ warned Nigeria’s national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu in a statement earlier this month.
Government steps in
Recognising the scale of the threat, President Bola Tinubu issued an executive order last year classifying telecom networks and infrastructure as critical national assets. The designation placed them in the same security bracket as military barracks and hospitals, signalling a tougher stance on sabotage.
International operators have echoed the concerns. IHS Holdings Limited, which manages thousands of telecom sites in Nigeria, noted in its 2024 annual report that fuel theft, corruption and collapsing infrastructure were significant risks to its business.
Local disputes and labour threats
Operators also face challenges from the very communities they serve. In some areas, residents demand informal ground rents before allowing substations to be built or before granting engineers access to damaged sites. Such delays prolong outages and add to costs.
Labour disputes have also created pressure points. The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, which delivers diesel to telecom substations, recently threatened to stop supplies. The dispute was only resolved after mediation led personally by security chief Ribadu.
Outlook
For Nigeria’s 220 million citizens, mobile phones remain indispensable. Yet as vandalism grows, operators fear the sector’s resilience is eroding. Industry leaders warn that without stronger enforcement, community engagement and investment in protection, the blackouts seen in June could soon become routine.
Telecom firms, already weighed down by inflation and policy uncertainty, argue that safeguarding digital infrastructure is not just about protecting business but about securing the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
