By Charles Pemu 
LAGOS,— Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is on the brink of a major crisis as a festering diesel supply dispute threatens to shut down over 16,000 base stations, potentially plunging millions of Nigerians into a communication blackout. This industrial conflict comes as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reveals an alarming rate of over 1,100 fibre optic cuts weekly, highlighting the multiple threats facing the nation’s digital infrastructure.
The immediate crisis stems from a heated dispute between telecom tower managers, IHS, and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA). While IHS alleges that two NOGASA member companies misappropriated its diesel stock, NOGASA has fired back, accusing IHS of contract breaches and refusing to pay for services rendered. The suppliers association has since blocked diesel access to IHS sites, primarily in Lagos, Kaduna, and Delta states.
The Association of Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the umbrella body for telcos including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile, has issued a grave warning. Chairman Engr. Gbenga Adebayo described the blockade as “sabotage” and a “threat to national security,” reminding all parties that telecom infrastructure is legally classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). He cautioned that a shutdown would not only disrupt mobile and internet services but also cripple essential sectors like banking, healthcare, and emergency services.
The National Association of Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMS) has also weighed in, calling for urgent government intervention. Its president, Chief Deolu Ogubanjo, urged the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to escalate the matter to President Bola Tinubu for a speedy resolution, warning of the “devastating” economic impact of a telecom blackout.
Adding another layer of complexity to the sector’s woes, the NCC has raised a serious alarm over the relentless physical attacks on telecom infrastructure. During a recent industry conference, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, revealed shocking statistics: an average of 1,100 fibre optic cuts, 545 site access denials, and nearly 100 thefts are recorded across the country every week.
“Telecommunications infrastructure is the nervous system of our national digital economy,” Maida said, highlighting that these disruptions lead to service outages for millions and losses running into billions of naira. He added that the sector cannot thrive where operators are forced to rebuild the same fibre lines repeatedly.
As the industrial dispute continues to escalate and physical attacks on infrastructure persist, stakeholders are unified in their call for urgent government action. The consensus is that safeguarding Nigeria’s digital backbone must become a national priority to protect both the economy and the livelihoods that depend on it.