Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have issued a dire warning over the growing threat of infrastructure vandalism, cautioning that the country may soon experience a widespread service blackout if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking through their umbrella body, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the operators expressed deep concern about the increasing attacks on telecom infrastructure, especially as it comes at a time when they are investing heavily in network optimisation and expansion.
“Our industry has not seen this scale of investment in recent years,” said ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, on Sunday. “We are working round the clock to improve the quality of service nationwide, and we cannot afford these setbacks.”
According to Adebayo, between May and July 2025, critical telecom infrastructure was vandalized in key states such as Rivers, Ogun, Osun, Imo, Kogi, Ekiti, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory, among others. These incidents have led to serious disruptions, including connectivity blackouts that have affected millions of subscribers.
He stressed that the situation undermines recent government-backed initiatives aimed at boosting the telecom sector’s sustainability and digital inclusion efforts.
ALTON is calling on all levels of government, security agencies, and the general public to join in safeguarding telecom infrastructure, which is vital for economic activities, emergency services, and national development.
