Nigeria's Digital Pipelines Under Siege: Fiber Cuts Threaten Economic Growth

Nigerian telecommunications companies reported 19,384 fiber optic cable cuts between January and August 2025, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The incidents, coupled with 3,241 cases of equipment theft and over 19,000 denials of access to telecom sites, have caused prolonged network outages, revenue losses, and service disruptions across the sector. The NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, emphasized the threat to Nigeria's digital economy ambitions, noting that broadband connectivity is critical to national development, akin to electricity and transportation infrastructure. With broadband penetration at 48.81% and over 140 million Nigerians online, the telecom sector remains a key GDP driver. A World Bank study cited by Maida indicates that a 10% increase in broadband penetration could boost GDP by up to 1.38%.

The National Broadband Plan (2020–2025) aims to achieve 70% broadband penetration and deploy 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic backbone by year-end. To address infrastructure vulnerabilities, the NCC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, has enforced the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024. The order criminalizes vandalism and network sabotage, empowering law enforcement to act decisively and mandating stricter security standards for telecom sites. Maida highlighted that the NCC and ONSA have dismantled major equipment theft cartels and are strengthening partnerships with state governments and security agencies to expedite prosecutions.

Despite these measures, challenges persist. High Right of Way (RoW) fees, energy costs, and multiple taxation continue to hinder broadband rollout. While 11 states have waived RoW fees, the NCC urged others to follow suit to accelerate fiber deployment. Maida stressed that state governors hold a "strategic lever" in determining digital progress, with infrastructure protection and policy alignment critical to avoiding economic stagnation. The Commission also announced plans to launch the Ease of Doing Business Portal and the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI) to enhance transparency and measure digital readiness across states.

Recent data from the NCC's live incident portal revealed widespread disruptions in June 2025, with nine states-Rivers, Katsina, Lagos, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Akwa Ibom-experiencing outages due to fiber cuts. Major operators, including Airtel, MTN, 9Mobile, and Globacom, reported service interruptions affecting voice, SMS, USSD, and mobile data. For example, Airtel faced three fiber cuts in Rivers and Anambra, while 9Mobile endured a four-hour outage in Lagos. The NCC mandated operators to compensate subscribers for outages exceeding 24 hours, a move aimed at improving accountability.

Industry stakeholders, including the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), have labeled infrastructure vandalism an "economic sabotage" threatening national security and digital economy goals. ALTON's Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, cited a thriving black market for stolen components and called for stricter penalties, improved coordination during civil works, and public awareness campaigns to foster community ownership of telecom assets. IHS Nigeria, a telecom infrastructure provider, emphasized multi-faceted solutions, including AI-driven surveillance, community protection programs, and partnerships with security agencies to deter sabotage.

The Federal Government has taken legislative steps to address the issue, with President Tinubu signing the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024. The order criminalizes the deliberate destruction of telecom assets, including towers, data centers, and fiber optic cables. However, industry analysts note that enforcement remains a challenge, with accidental damage from roadworks and deliberate sabotage continuing to plague the sector. The NCC's data suggests that the cost of repairs and revenue losses from damaged cables in 2023 reached N27 billion ($23 million), with MTN and Airtel bearing the brunt of the expenses.

Maida reiterated that Nigeria's digital revolution hinges on infrastructure protection and investment. "Pipelines of oil are giving way to pipelines of fibre," he stated, urging stakeholders to align efforts to expand access and safeguard networks. With the National Broadband Plan nearing its 2025 deadline, the urgency to address systemic challenges-ranging from infrastructure vulnerability to regulatory inefficiencies-has never been greater.

Source: [1] Nigerian Communications Commission via TechCabal (https://techcabal.com/2025/10/08/nigerias-telcos-hit-by-19000-fibre-cuts-in-eight-months/)

[2] Techeconomy.ng (https://techeconomy.ng/telecom-operator-in-nigeria-reports-5478-fibre-cuts-in-2025/)

[3] Newtelegraphng.com (https://newtelegraphng.com/maida-nigerias-broadband-drive-crippled-by-19000-fibre-cuts/)

[4] Dailypost.ng (https://dailypost.ng/2025/06/19/ncc-to-prosecute-vandals-of-critical-national-information-infrastructure/)

[5] Thenationonlineng.net (https://thenationonlineng.net/telcos-stakeholders-worry-over-continuing-infrastructure-vandalism/)

[6] Businessday.ng (https://businessday.ng/news/article/fg-criminalises-fibre-cuts-network-sabotage-23-years-after-gsm-revolution/)

[7] Punchng.com (https://punchng.com/fibre-cuts-disrupt-telecom-services-in-nine-states/)