The operators, under the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said much of the money currently funding network expansion and infrastructure development comes from domestic financing, reinvested earnings and other funding channels that are not fully captured by the National Bureau of Statistics’ capital importation framework.

The reaction follows the release of the NBS Capital Importation Report for the first quarter of 2026, which showed that foreign capital inflows into telecommunications dropped from $80.78 million a year earlier to $7.24 million.

According to the report, telecoms accounted for just 0.07% of the $10.37 billion that entered the Nigerian economy during the quarter.

ALTON said the figure presents only part of the investment picture.

“…this metric appears to capture only a portion of the total capital actively deployed within the sector.

“Our industry’s substantial Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) figures suggest that current investment derives from domestic capital sources, reinvested operational earnings – financial mechanisms that may not be fully reflected in conventional foreign capital importation metrics,” the association said.

The group noted that mobile network operators, tower companies and other telecom firms invested about N2.13 trillion in capital projects in 2025. It added that planned capital expenditure for 2026 currently stands at N1.86 trillion.

According to ALTON, the funds are being directed towards network expansion, infrastructure upgrades, technology improvements and measures aimed at strengthening operational resilience.

The association argued that the wide gap between reported foreign inflows and actual spending within the industry points to shortcomings in the current method used to track investments.

To address this, it called for collaboration between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a comprehensive framework for measuring investment in the telecom sector.

“To ensure Nigeria’s telecommunications sector investment profile is accurately represented, ALTON respectfully proposes a collaborative engagement among the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a more inclusive and comprehensive investment-tracking framework,” the association stated.

Despite pressure from inflation, high costs of operations and foreign exchange challenges, ALTON said operators have always invested heavily to maintain service quality and expand connectivity across the country.

The association also credited the Federal Government’s approval of a 50% tariff increase in 2025 with improving operators’ ability to reinvest in their networks.

“The timely intervention enabled operators to transition from financial distress to a sustainable, growth-focused model characterised by significant capital reinvestment,” it said.

While telecom operators questioned the reported investment figure, the NBS data showed that foreign investors significantly increased their exposure to Nigeria during the quarter.

Total capital importation rose to $10.37 billion in Q1 2026, representing an 83.8% increase from $5.64 billion recorded in the same period last year. Compared with the previous quarter, inflows climbed by nearly 61%.

However, most of the money flowed into short-term financial assets rather than long-term productive investments.

Portfolio investments accounted for $9.86 billion, or about 95% of total inflows, while foreign direct investment stood at just $135 million. Other investments, including loans and trade credits, contributed $374.5 million.

The banking sector attracted the largest share of foreign capital, receiving $7.55 billion, followed by the financing sector with $2.43 billion. Manufacturing drew $152.3 million, while telecommunications received $7.24 million.

Figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) show 152 generators and 504 batteries were taken within the year and the rate has not reduced since then.

In the first two months of 2026, operators reported 64 stolen batteries and 17 generators.

At the same time, other forms of vandalism are increasing, with cable theft climbing fast. There were 160 cases in January 2026, up from 74 in the same month last year.

February followed a similar pattern, with 151 cases compared to 73 a year earlier. Diesel theft is also widespread, with 222 incidents recorded between January and February.

These losses are hitting network operations. Service disruptions are becoming more frequent, especially in states such as Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, the FCT, Kaduna, Niger, Osun and Kwara.

Operators in the industry say the damage goes beyond stolen equipment. Fibre optic cables are also under stress.

The NCC recorded about 1,100 fibre cuts in 2025 and in January 2026, incidents jumped steeply to 40, from just four cases in December. That jump alone shows how quickly the problem is growing.

Fibre damage affects more than phone calls. It interrupts banking services, emergency response systems and internet access. In many cases, repairs take hours or even days, leaving users offline.

The financial cost is heavy. A standard 15 KVA generator costs about ₦3.5 million. When hundreds are stolen in a year, operators face replacement costs running into billions of naira. On top of that, they spend more on security, monitoring and repairs.

Speaking on the situation, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, said the attacks are slowing progress across the industry.

“These acts of sabotage have significantly disrupted network services, causing widespread connectivity blackouts leading to degradation of services and severely impacting millions of subscribers.

“These are not mere materials, but they are the backbone of our digital economy, security systems, and national communications grid,” he said.

Operators say they have continued to invest in network upgrades, but theft and vandalism are holding them back. Equipment being targeted includes power cables, rectifiers, fibre lines, diesel generators, batteries and solar systems.

A telecom consultant who spoke to Nairametrics, Adewale Adeoye, said the scale of the losses means operators must do more to protect their assets.

“If you are spending billions to build infrastructure, you also have to spend money to secure it.

“While this should not have been the case in an ideal situation where the government is responsible for security of lives and properties, years of continuous attacks and thefts have shown that the government cannot be relied upon.

“So, the telecom operators have to up their game in protecting their facilities,” he said.

The Federal Government had earlier moved to protect the sector. In August 2024, Bola Tinubu signed the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order. The law makes it a criminal offence to tamper with telecom infrastructure.

Officials say the policy is meant to protect investments and strengthen the digital economy. However, the growing number of thefts reveals enforcement is still a challenge.

In February 2026, the NCC and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps warned contractors and individuals against damaging fibre cables during construction. They said such actions now carry criminal penalties and promised stricter enforcement.

Even with those warnings, telecom theft, among other incidents, are still increasing in Nigeria.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to Idris Olorunnimbe, chairman of the NCC Board, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON chairman, highlighted recent policy interventions as pivotal in addressing longstanding structural challenges.

According to Adebayo, strategic foreign exchange reforms and the resolution of a nearly ₦300 billion USSD debt backlog helped alleviate financial strain on operators, particularly where revenues earned in Naira were strained by foreign-denominated costs for bandwidth, equipment and international traffic.

Regulatory guidance that migrated USSD billing to end-user billing effectively eliminated these systemic debts, he said, turning a looming crisis into a sustainable framework.

On pricing, the ALTON chairman underscored the significance of the NCC’s decision to approve tariff adjustments after 13 years of static pricing.

He noted that inflationary pressures, exchange volatility and rising energy costs had pushed service pricing below sustainable cost levels. The tariff review, he argued, not only prevented service rationing and industry decline but also improved network stability and revived operators’ capital expenditure planning.

Despite these gains, Adebayo drew attention to infrastructure risks, particularly recurring fibre cuts linked to road construction activities.

He called for enforced consequence management, insisting that contractors responsible for telecom infrastructure damage must be held accountable and required to restore connectivity before continuing work.

Responding to the commendation, Idris Olorunnimbe, NCC Chairman, described telecommunications as the central nervous system of the economy, stressing that failures in connectivity can ripple across commerce, education, health and governance.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to regulatory independence, fairness and partnerships that elevate service quality for consumers.

Olorunnimbe also reaffirmed efforts to enforce Critical National Infrastructure protections and called on operators to support broader national objectives, including expanding access in underserved communities and exploring zero-rated educational platforms to enhance digital inclusion.

Speaking at the 2025 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue organised by ITREALMS Media group, with the theme “Nigeria: Recycle Your E-Waste It’s Critical” Ugbechie described e-waste as a “crucial national emergency,” stressing that Nigerians must be made to understand the economic value hidden in discarded electronic devices.

“The global value of e-waste is about $58 billion. Every piece of e-waste is cash. This thing you are throwing away, this thing you see as refuse, has value. And when you put value to something, you don’t trash it,” he said.

Ken Ugbechie criticised Nigeria’s deepening “show-off” and disposable consumption habits, pointing out that many consumers replace devices not out of necessity but to appear trendy.

“We are stupendously extravagant as a people. You buy a phone today, two months later you throw it away to buy another just to show you are in town. Manufacturers exploit this behaviour and know exactly where to dump inferior products,” he noted.

He warned that this behavioural pattern not only encourages reckless disposal but also incentivises the importation of substandard electronics into the Nigerian market.

Ugbechie further highlighted the severe health dangers associated with unmanaged e-waste, noting that toxic substances such as mercury and lead seep into the soil and water systems.

“E-waste is carcinogenic. When these substances wash into our environment, they enter our lungs and skin. That is why cancer and related diseases are rising, especially among the younger population,” he said.

He called on government agencies to professionalise e-waste handling and ensure harmful materials do not continue to contaminate the environment.

While acknowledging NESREA’s regulatory mandate, Ugbechie insisted that the agency must expand its public awareness efforts and create a structured ecosystem of collectors and recyclers.

“NESREA has to create different layers of people who can pick up e-waste. But most importantly, there must be continuous enlightenment. The behavioural pattern of the people is what drives this crisis,” he said.

Ugbechie ended with a call: “NESREA needs to increase its budget for media and publicity. Without massive enlightenment, this crisis will continue.”

The 2025 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue continued to spotlight the urgent need for coordinated national action, stronger regulation, and sustained environmental education to curb Nigeria’s fast-worsening e-waste problem.

This year’s dialogue was supported by the ALTON, NCC, IXPN, NLNG, NESREA and EPRON while students from several schools were in attendance including ReapVille Schools, St Joachim College, Upland College and Stigal Int’l Schools among other stakeholders.

The Forum, endorsed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will convene leading stakeholders, regulators, and policy institutions to explore practical strategies for embedding compliance and governance as core values for sustainable business practices.

Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, will deliver the inaugural keynote address titled: “Tax Compliance and the Business of Service Quality under the 2025 Fiscal Policy Framework.”

Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) will deliver a Welcome Address on the topic: “Compliance, Governance, and Quality of Experience: Building Trust and Service Excellence in Nigeria’s Digital Economy.”

The Forum will also host key Agency Leaders, including Dr, Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Dr. Olatunji Bello, chief executive officer / executive vice-chairman, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC); Dr Vincent Olatunji (National Commissioner & CEO) Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and  the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman (Special Adviser to the President on Policy & Coordination). Amongst other dignitaries expected.

Speaking on the significance of the event, ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, stated:

“This Forum represents an industry-first effort to institutionalize compliance as a shared responsibility. It underscores our strong support for the Federal Government’s fiscal reform agenda and our commitment to align with Mr. President’s economic re-engineering and critical systemic reforms. The year 2026 will be pivotal for the telecommunications sector as fiscal reforms take full effect, and this engagement provides an opportunity to gain clarity and deepen our understanding of these changes.”

‘We commend the Federal Government for the ongoing fiscal and tax reforms under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that these reforms are addressing the long-standing challenge of multiple taxation in the telecoms sector. For many years, the industry faced over 50 different taxes and levies across Federal, State, and Local Government levels—posing severe operational burdens and affecting the quality of services delivered to consumers. The new tax policy direction of the Government is a bold and welcome intervention. “It simplifies compliance, promotes equity, and creates a more predictable operating environment for our industry. We sincerely appreciate this decisive effort.” – Adebayo said.

The CMF will focus on compliance, governance, and fiscal responsibility as key drivers of improved service quality and customer experience.

It will also serve as a platform for dialogue between operators and government agencies to strengthen trust and accountability.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, 25th November 2025 in Lagos.

In a presentation made by Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, at the Joint National Assembly Committee Hearing on the Bill, the association commended the sponsors for their efforts to modernize Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and establish a legal framework for emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

ALTON, which represents all licensed telecom network and infrastructure operators in Nigeria, acknowledged the Bill’s transformative potential but raised critical issues regarding regulatory overlap, institutional independence, and inter-agency collaboration.

“While we support the objectives of the Bill, it is essential to ensure that it complements, rather than overrides, existing sectoral laws,” Adebayo said. “The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should retain its statutory regulatory oversight on telecommunications networks and infrastructure, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) should lead on digital policy and e-governance.”

The association cautioned against overlapping mandates between NITDA and NCC, emphasizing that a clear delineation of roles would prevent duplication and enhance regulatory efficiency.

On Artificial Intelligence regulation, ALTON recommended aligning Nigeria’s approach with international best practices by separating policy guidance and technical regulation, a structure already adopted in the UK, India, and the European Union. According to Adebayo, this would “ensure accountability while encouraging innovation.”

ALTON also called for a review of Section 82, which grants ministerial directive powers, to safeguard the independence of regulatory bodies and foster investor confidence in the digital economy.

Additionally, the association proposed the creation of a National Digital Cooperation and Interoperability Framework to formalize collaboration among key agencies such as NITDA, NCC, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“To achieve coherence across Nigeria’s digital landscape, we must embed structured collaboration within the Bill,” Adebayo noted. “This will help avoid policy fragmentation and enhance coordination across government institutions.”

In conclusion, ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s digital transformation journey but maintained that the success of the Digital Economy Bill depends on establishing clear jurisdictional boundaries, institutional independence, and structured collaboration among regulators.

“Our goal is a sustainable digital economy driven by innovation, accountability, and investor trust,” Adebayo stated.

Held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, on Wednesday, October 22, the event convened leading voices from government, telecommunications, power, and technology sectors to discuss solutions for expanding digital access to unserved and underserved communities across Nigeria.

The Summit, themed “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide: Accelerating Rural Connectivity Through Collaboration,” was organised by Business Metrics in partnership with stakeholders across the industry.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), noted that the real measure of connectivity lies in its economic impact rather than technical metrics.

“The accurate measure of connectivity is not in megabits per second, but in economic value it creates or loses,” Maida said.

He noted that despite progress since 2001, millions of Nigerians are still digitally invisible, unable to access reliable broadband, mobile, or data services that now define inclusion in the modern economy.

In his address, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), drew attention to the underlying infrastructure gaps that hinder connectivity.

“80 million Nigerians do not have access to reliable electricity,” he stated, warning that without addressing energy poverty, telecom expansion will continue to face obstacles.

Adebayo further stressed that connectivity must be pursued as a people-centred mission.

“48 million Nigerians do not have access to toilets,” he said. “When we talk about inclusion, it’s not just digital; it’s about dignity.”

The President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Emoekpere, called for urgent transition from dialogue to execution.

“We need to move away from talk shops into actions,” he stated. “This Summit should not end with resolutions; it must produce measurable results.”

Speakers from across the ecosystem, including the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), highlighted ongoing collaborations with NCC to power rural telecom sites using renewable energy mini-grids. 

This partnership aims to reduce costs and improve sustainability by pairing electricity access with digital connectivity.

Dr Tola Yusuf, chief executive officer of Infratel Africa, linked infrastructure to development outcomes.

“The backbone of rural prosperity is digital connectivity, but the backbone of connectivity is the right incentive structure,” he said, calling for fiscal incentives, public-private partnerships, and community-led models.

Dr Olusola Teniola, former ATCON President and executive director at ipNX, reiterated the urgency of implementation.

“It does remain a talk shop, and I’m tired of talk shops nowadays. We need action,” he said.

The Summit’s panel sessions explored multiple dimensions of the challenge and produced several key insights:

The first panel, focused on Mainstreaming Edge Infrastructure for Accelerated Inclusion.

Moderated by Chidi Ajuzie, group COO, Western Telecoms & Engineering (WTES) Limited, panellists included Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO, Open Access Data Centre (OADC); Wole Abu, MD, Equinix West Africa (MainOne); Dr. Krish Ranganath, regional executive (West Africa), Africa Data Centres and Goke Juba, associate director, Fibre Operations, IHS Nigeria.

Key insights included:

• Expansion of edge data infrastructure beyond Lagos and Abuja is essential to reduce latency and improve local content delivery.
• Power, security, and connectivity must be addressed together to ensure site viability.
• Collaboration between operators and data-centre providers will drive faster deployment in rural areas.

The second session,  focused on Infrastructure Sharing & Collaboration as Key Pillars of Bridging Digital Divide, was moderated by Louisa Olaniyi, the compere. 

The panellists included Tony Emoekpere, president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON); Dr Tola Yusuf, co-founder, Infratel Africa; Segun Okuneye, Divisional CEO, ipNX Nigeria Limited; Onemeguke Azubuike Lucky, senior analyst, Natcom Development and Investment Limited (ntel); Olumide Idowu, group chief technology & information officer, Alphabeta LLC; John Nwachukwu, chief strategy & executive officer, Zoracom; and Dr Isa Usman, associate director, Network Operations, GICL.

Key insights included:

• Shared infrastructure remains the most cost-effective path to rural expansion.
• Spectrum access, harmonised right-of-way policies, and targeted subsidies are needed to attract investors.
• Result-based financing and community-owned networks can complement traditional operator models.

Omobayo Azeez, convener and lead of the Rural Connectivity Initiative, emphasised the need for continued movement.

“Let this gathering be remembered as the moment we all come together to move from talk to action, from plans to progress, and from intent to real impact,” he said.

The Rural Connectivity Summit will become an annual platform for dialogue, accountability, and innovation, bringing together regulators, operators, development agencies, and community leaders to drive universal connectivity and digital inclusion across Nigeria.

This contrast, according to Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, National Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), reveals how far the nation has grown in connectivity, and how far it still has to go.

Speaking at Nigeria’s first Rural Connectivity Summit, organised by Business Metrics in Lagos, themed “Rethinking Digital Connectivity to Unlock Rural Economic Potential,” the Chairman of ALTON noted that while Nigeria’s telecom sector has made progress in 24 years, true digital inclusion is still out of reach for many living in rural areas.

“People are concluding transactions, doing e-services, and even talking to their doctors as we speak. This is how far we have gone as a people in 24 years,” Adebayo said, recalling how making an international phone call once required hours of waiting at public call centres in Lagos.

He described the divide between urban and rural areas as “a major departure,” pointing out that in many villages, residents still climb hills or trek to mountaintops just to get mobile network signals. For him, the question at the centre of the rural connectivity challenge is fundamental: “Who should own the local network?”

Adebayo argued that just as communities once came together to build schools, churches, and mosques, they should also be empowered to build and own their local communication infrastructure. “If the communities own those networks, they will protect them. It will be difficult for anyone to vandalise what they built,” he stated.

He criticised the frequent vandalism of telecom sites, describing how solar panels are sometimes stolen and used for leisure activities. “Today, we are seeing cases of people vandalising sites and taking the solar cells to play table tennis in the village square. That will not happen if they own those networks,” he said.

Adebayo urged government and regulators to create incentives for rural operators, including tax waivers, free rights of way, and easier access to land. Pointing to Niger State as an example, he said large-scale solar farms could thrive there if policies encouraged investment. “If you want to deploy hundreds of kilometres of solar farms, go there. The land is free,” he said.

He also proposed that Nigeria’s data centre operators should consider relocating parts of their operations to rural states where land is cheaper and more available. “In the centres where we are concentrated, we are struggling for everything, from power to water. Maybe it’s time we begin to think of taking some of these data centres offsite,” he added.

The ALTON Chairman emphasised that rural connectivity shouldn’t be limited to infrastructure, ensuring new opportunities, security, and restoring dignity are highly important. “Rural connectivity is not just about expanding network coverage, but about expanding opportunities,” Adebayo said. 

“If people have the same value and opportunities in those tier two, three, and four cities, they will have a better quality of life than the daily struggles in the urban centres.”

“Together, we can be rural connected, not just as a policy aspiration, but as a living reality in every part of the country.”

ALTON says that multiple levies, bottlenecks in right-of-way approvals, and other unfriendly state policies are slowing expansion and could widen connectivity gaps between regions.

Speaking over the weekend, ALTON Chairman, Engineer Gbenga Adebayo, said the telecom industry is finally seeing strong investment flows after years of stagnation, but not every state may benefit.

“States that create hostile conditions for telecom operations risk being left behind. Where deployment is unwelcome, investments will move to more supportive neighbouring states, and citizens of unfriendly states will inevitably suffer limited connectivity,” Adebayo said.

He stressed that operators are already under enormous pressure, paying as many as 56 different taxes and charges. According to him, relief is expected from January 2026 when the Federal Government’s tax reform bills come into effect, cutting overlapping levies across federal, state, and local tiers. “We will not continue to solicit endlessly for cooperation,” Adebayo warned.

Fresh data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows over $1 billion in telecom infrastructure investments poured into the country this year alone. 

That confidence was restored after the regulator allowed mobile network operators to adjust tariffs by up to 50%, reversing almost a decade of frozen pricing.

This policy change has triggered aggressive expansion as operators are rolling out new base stations, extending fibre networks, upgrading existing sites, and introducing enhanced site security to counter vandalism. 

Adebayo described the current pace of deployment as the most ambitious since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reforms go beyond tariffs and taxation. The inauguration of the new NCC Board, chaired by Idris Olorunimbe, has been described as a stabilising factor for the industry. 

The rebranding of 9Mobile to T2 is also seen by stakeholders as a signal of renewed investor interest and strategic repositioning.

Industry players argue that these developments place Nigeria in a better position to close broadband gaps and expand access to digital services. But without cooperation at state level, experts warn, the benefits will remain unevenly distributed.

Behind the numbers, operators continue to burn through more than 40 million litres of diesel monthly, most of it imported, to keep networks running. This reality adds to operational costs and stresses why hostile state policies only worsen the financial strain.

The NCC is already working with the Office of the National Security Adviser to create region-specific rapid response systems to protect telecom infrastructure, but Adebayo urged the public to take responsibility as well. Cases of vandalism and stolen equipment, he warned, further undermine investments and slow deployment.

For ordinary Nigerians, unfriendly state policies could mean slower broadband rollout, fewer digital jobs, and reduced access to critical online services. On the other hand, states that actively support operators stand to benefit from expanded infrastructure, stronger investor confidence, and broader digital inclusion.

“The transformation we are witnessing in our sector has not been experienced in recent years… but for this to be sustainable, all stakeholders, especially state governments, must play their part. Telecoms is not just about calls and data, it is a driver of national economic stability and growth,” Adebayo concluded.

The disruption stems from an escalating conflict between two oil workers’ unions and a major telecom infrastructure provider.

Members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) have blocked access to key diesel loading depots. 

This is preventing fuel distribution to telecom sites operated by IHS Towers, one of the largest providers of telecommunications infrastructure in the country.

At the heart of the dispute is an allegation of diesel misappropriation levelled by IHS against two companies affiliated with NOGASA. The issue is under investigation, yet in response, union members have halted diesel supply operations in the affected states, effectively putting a critical portion of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure at risk.

Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), did not downplay the seriousness of the situation. 

In his words: “This action, reportedly stemming from allegations by IHS of diesel misappropriation against 2 member companies of NOGASA and which is being investigated by the requisite authorities, has resulted in a critical threat to the operation of some of the 16,000 telecommunications sites nationwide, servicing Mobile Network Operators.”

The telecom base stations under threat are responsible for powering mobile phone and internet services, bank transaction networks, hospital communication systems, emergency response lines, and vital national security platforms.

A failure at this scale would compromise not only public access to connectivity but also the digital backbone of Nigeria’s economy and security architecture.

It’s important to note that Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure relies heavily on diesel-powered generators, as grid electricity remains unreliable and insufficient. Some affected sites are reportedly now operating on backup reserves with little time left before complete outages begin.

ALTON stressed that while it does not mediate disputes between private companies and third-party service providers, it has a duty to protect national infrastructure.

“These sites not only power mobile and internet services for millions of Nigerians, but also support essential services such as banking transactions, hospital communications, emergency response systems, and national security operations,” Adebayo stated.

More than just a commercial conflict, the issue now carries national security and legal implications. ALTON reminded the unions and all involved parties that telecommunications assets have been designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure under Nigerian law, a classification that makes any deliberate disruption a potential offence with serious consequences.

Calling for speedy intervention, ALTON urged the leadership of NUPENG and NOGASA to reverse the blockade and allow fuel distribution to resume. The association also appealed to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and other authorities to step in immediately.

“We urge all parties involved to embrace constructive dialogue to resolve the matter, without further disruption to essential services. Disputes must be resolved within the framework of lawful contracts and applicable legal processes,” Adebayo added.

As we face the real possibility of a digital blackout, experts warn that any delay in restoring fuel supply could result in cascading failures across multiple sectors. 

ALTON has reiterated its focus on keeping Nigerians connected but warned that continued interference with diesel access will derail network stability and increase the economic challenges already felt across the country.