Telecommunications giant Airtel Nigeria has issued an urgent call for action to protect telecom infrastructure as the country grapples with an alarming surge in vandalism and fibre cuts. The company reports an average of 43 fibre cuts daily on its network, amounting to 7,742 incidents in just six months.
Speaking on the crisis, Femi Adeniran, Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, described fibre cuts as a growing epidemic within the telecom industry. “These interruptions inconvenience consumers, disrupt businesses, hinder government operations, and jeopardize public safety, particularly during emergencies,” Adeniran stated.
The Impact on Critical Infrastructure
Adeniran emphasized the role of telecommunications as an essential pillar of the modern economy, powering sectors like education, healthcare, banking, and public safety. “Our telecom infrastructure is as critical as roads and bridges. The digital economy cannot thrive if such disruptions persist,” he added.
Painting a grim picture, Adeniran explained how careless construction activities, vandalism, and insufficient coordination among stakeholders lead to fibre damage. “Imagine waking up to no internet, no mobile network, and no emergency services because of a severed fibre cable. This is the daily reality in Nigeria,” he lamented.
Collaborative Action Needed
Calling for a multi-stakeholder approach, Adeniran urged government agencies, security forces, telecom operators, construction companies, the media, and civil society to come together to protect Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure. While the government recently designated telecom assets as critical infrastructure, Adeniran stressed the need for actionable steps, including:
1. Stronger Enforcement and Coordination: Stricter penalties for fibre damage and better collaboration between telecom operators and construction firms.
2. Regulation of Construction Activities: Monitoring and ensuring construction companies treat telecom infrastructure with the same care as other utilities.
3. Simplified Right-of-Way (RoW): Streamlining RoW processes to facilitate proactive infrastructure protection.
4. Adoption of Technology: Using geospatial mapping and real-time monitoring tools to identify and respond to high-risk areas.
5. Media Engagement: Leveraging media platforms to drive public awareness about the consequences of vandalism and the importance of telecom infrastructure.
The Legal Framework
In August 2024, President Bola Tinubu issued an official gazette designating telecom infrastructure as critical national assets, making intentional destruction a criminal offense. Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, called the move a significant step toward safeguarding investments in the ICT sector.
However, this is not the first such declaration. In June 2020, former Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Pantami, announced a similar directive under then-President Muhammadu Buhari. Despite these measures, vandalism remains rampant, underlining the need for urgent and effective action.
Looking Forward
As Airtel Nigeria and other operators continue to combat daily disruptions, the success of the country’s digital economy hinges on collective efforts to secure telecom infrastructure. With decisive action, Nigeria can prevent further damage and ensure that its telecommunications sector thrives in a rapidly digitalizing world.
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