Nigeria’s Economy is suffering significant losses due to the continuous vandalism of its telecommunications infrastructure, with experts projecting annual damages to exceed ₦50 billion. Despite being classified as critical national Infrastructure (CNI) by the previous administration to increase protection and Security priorities, the worrying trend of ongoing damage to telecom facilities persists. This continuous threat is affecting Economic Growth and creating major National Security risks, as experts caution. During #EndBadGovernance protests, vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure severely disrupted services, causing lasting impacts on communication network reliability. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) recently verified that telecommunications infrastructure, such as internet cables, was vandalised, leading to damage and disruptions in network operations.
During a recent interview, Mr. Gbolahan Awonuga, the Secretary of ALTON, discussed the widespread vandalism affecting Telecommunication infrastructure. He highlighted the impact of cable cuts on network disruptions. He said that the unauthorised individuals have been gaining access to underground facilities and severing vital cables, causing extensive disruptions to the telecommunications network. He acknowledged that engineers were actively working to repair and restore services on the ground, but the economic consequences of the vandalism were extensive. In addition to the financial losses suffered by telecom companies, the service Disruption has a wide-reaching impact on businesses, individuals, and government entities.
Ongoing attacks threaten financial stability and potential investments.
Chairman of the ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, highlighted the significant investments made by the telecom industry in constructing and upkeeping infrastructure nationwide. He emphasised that ongoing attacks pose a threat by causing financial harm and discouraging potential investments. Adebayo called on the government to intervene and prevent these essential assets. Also, the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent report of more than 50,000 instances of harm to telecommunications infrastructure and amenities over five years has raised alarm. This issue is particularly troubling for a country dedicated to advancing its economy through digitalisation and keeping pace with global trends.
The NCC emphasised the importance of protecting Telecom infrastructure for economic and social advancement. They stressed that preventing it is fundamental to maintaining a solid and secure digital environment. The Commission further stated that everyone is affected by the deterioration of infrastructure caused by vandalism, which results in more dropped calls, disruptions in data and internet connectivity, failed SMS deliveries, and unsuccessful calls. An Abuja-based ICT consultant, Charles Ayodele, emphasised the far-reaching impacts of such attacks. He said that in addition to the initial financial damages, the sabotage of telecom networks obstructs technological progress, limits employment opportunities, and undermines efforts towards digital advancement.
Digital vandalism hinders law enforcement and intelligence operations.
Kabiru Adamu, a security analyst, emphasised the serious security threats of telecom infrastructure’s vulnerability. Such weaknesses can interrupt crucial communication channels for law enforcement and intelligence operations. In response to this urgent matter, stakeholders are proposing a strategy encompassing enhanced security measures, severe consequences for vandalism, active community involvement, and informative public outreach initiatives. Stakeholders insist that the government needs to focus on protecting its infrastructure by providing sufficient resources for security measures and enforcement actions. Analysts recommended that telecom operators prioritise Investment in solid security measures and establish open communication with local communities to promote cooperation.
Additionally, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has urged the federal government to clarify the responsibilities of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to prevent regulatory disagreements in the digital sector. The ITU released a report called “Collaborative Regulation Boosting Nigeria’s Digital Evolution”, which pointed out shared duties between the two organisations, such as policy creation, data protection, and content oversight. The report stressed the importance of defining clear boundaries as the telecommunications, IT, and ICT industries merge. The ITU emphasised the importance of the NITDA Amendment Bill in clarifying the agency’s responsibilities. Although the bill seeks to outline NITDA’s role, it may lead to potential conflicts with the NCC because of its broad mandates and lack of clear distinctions between the IT and ICT sectors.
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According to an ITU warning, forum shopping, duplicated licenses, and higher costs for ICT companies are all potential consequences of ambiguous roles. The NITDA Amendment Bill is causing uproar in the Nigerian ICT industry due to worries about the extensive regulatory authority it gives to NITDA. Major players in the industry, such as CPN, NCS, ALTON, and ATCON, have expressed their opposition to the bill, fearing the emergence of a powerful regulator in the ICT sector. Ayoola Oke, the CEO of ICT Derivatives Limited, pointed out that NITDA initially prioritised the adoption of ICT and the development of infrastructure rather than regulation. He contended that the upcoming bill is essentially a replication, not a modification since it aims to convert NITDA into a regulatory body.