Nigerian telecommunications companies have come together to establish an Industry Working Group aimed at safeguarding their infrastructure from increasing incidents of fibre cuts, vandalism, and equipment theft.
The decision was reached during a strategic meeting hosted by IHS Nigeria, bringing together industry stakeholders, regulators, and law enforcement agencies. Under the umbrella of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the group will focus on securing critical assets and mitigating disruptions.
Key challenges include base station shutdowns, damage from road construction, and unauthorized access to telecom sites. The Working Group plans to leverage real-time monitoring technology and enhance security measures, while also collaborating with law enforcement agencies and launching public awareness campaigns.
Dapo Otunla, Senior Vice President at IHS Nigeria, emphasized the need for immediate action, citing the daily financial losses caused by vandalism and the negative impact on telecom services.
Although the Nigerian government has designated telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII)—making its destruction a criminal offense—the persistence of vandalism has forced telecom operators to take proactive measures to ensure these protections are enforced.
