IHS Towers and NCC tackle diesel blockage affecting 16,000 base stations

IHS Towers and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are working to resolve a data and voice service disruption caused by a diesel supply blockage from striking oil sector unions. The ongoing standoff threatens the operation of over 16,000 base stations nationwide, which are critical to maintaining mobile network services in Nigeria’s unreliable power environment [1]. The issue has been escalated to the courts, with IHS Towers and the NCC collaborating with security agencies to find a resolution [2].

The disruption was initiated by members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), who blocked access to key diesel depots in Lagos, Kaduna, and Koko in Delta State. The blockage came after IHS Towers alleged that two companies linked to NOGASA were involved in diesel theft [1]. This has triggered a growing sense of urgency among stakeholders, as Nigerian mobile network operators (MNOs) such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile rely heavily on diesel-powered generators to maintain service continuity [3].

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has issued a warning that the diesel supply crisis could result in a nationwide shutdown of mobile network operations. Engineer Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON’s chairman, urged the unions to resolve disputes through legal and contractual means, emphasizing that any disruption to telecom services could have severe economic and security consequences [4]. He noted that without immediate intervention, many telecom sites could run out of fuel within days, leading to widespread service outages and millions of Nigerians being disconnected from essential communications [5].

The situation highlights a critical vulnerability in Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure. Industry data shows that telecom sites consume an average of 40 million liters of diesel per month to keep 53,000 base stations operational. Each base station typically requires two generators to ensure 24-hour connectivity for Nigeria’s over 200 million mobile subscribers [6]. Annual spending on diesel exceeds $350 million, with rural and off-grid sites facing costs that are about 37% higher due to their stronger dependence on diesel [7].

To mitigate these challenges, major telecom operators like MTN and Airtel are exploring hybrid energy systems that combine solar panels and lithium batteries. This initiative, according to the Communications Regulator and the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), could reduce operating costs by 30% to 50% [8].

Beyond the diesel supply issue, the telecom industry is also grappling with infrastructure vandalism, which has surged to alarming levels. The NCC reported an average of 1,744 weekly attacks on telecom infrastructure, including fibre cuts, access denial, and theft. These incidents threaten service quality, network expansion, and national security while undermining Nigeria’s broadband expansion and digital inclusion goals [9].

IHS Towers has reiterated its commitment to maintaining Nigeria’s critical information infrastructure, pledging to ensure strong network uptime for its customers despite the ongoing dispute [10]. The situation underscores the broader systemic challenges facing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, with service reliability increasingly dependent on both political stability and infrastructure resilience.

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[1] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers

url: https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6895e0d705f6c41c6f2e4320/

[2] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers

[3] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers

[4] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers

[5] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers

[6] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers

[7] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers

[8] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers

[9] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers

[10] title: IHS Towers and NCC to resolve data and voice service disruption by striking oil workers