Protecting Telecommunications Infrastructure: A National Imperative for Nigeria’s Digital Future

By Femi Adeniran,

Imagine waking up one morning to find no internet, no mobile network, and no access to emergency services—all because a single fibre cable was carelessly severed during routine
construction. This is not just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a reality that plays out daily across
Nigeria, threatening the backbone of our digital economy and undermining national security.

The Federal Government’s recent designation of telecommunications assets as critical
national infrastructure is a landmark decision that underscores the strategic importance of
connectivity in today’s Nigeria. Telecommunications infrastructure is not just about phone
calls or browsing the internet; it powers vital sectors like education, healthcare, banking, and
public safety. In a world increasingly defined by digital transformation, the integrity of our
telecom networks is as critical as our roads, bridges, and airports.

Yet, this critical infrastructure faces relentless threats. Fibre cuts—primarily caused by
construction activities, vandalism, and a lack of coordination between stakeholders—have
become an epidemic. On average, operators report multiple incidents daily, disrupting
services to millions of Nigerians.  Airtel Nigeria alone records a daily average of 43 fibre cuts
and in the last six months, a total of 7742. These interruptions not only inconvenience
consumers but also hinder businesses, delay government operations, and compromise public safety, particularly in emergencies.

The dry season, while ideal for construction and public works, has exacerbated the problem.
With an increase in road and building projects, the frequency of fibre cuts has spiked
alarmingly. This trend jeopardizes Nigeria’s broadband penetration goals and the collective
efforts to harness technology for economic growth and social inclusion.

This is therefore a clarion call to all stakeholders—government agencies, security agencies,
construction companies, telecom operators, the media and civil society—to collaborate
urgently in safeguarding Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure. Beyond policy
declaration, there is a need to urgently move to practical actionable steps some of which are:

1. Stronger Enforcement and Coordination: Security Agencies and Regulatory
   bodies, must enforce stricter penalties for fibre damage while creating platforms for
   seamless coordination between construction companies and telecom operators.
2.  Regulating and Monitoring the Operations of Construction Companies:
   Construction companies to be regulated and monitored to ensure they accord similar
   status to telecom assets as they do to assets of other utility companies.
3.  Right-of-Way (RoW) Simplification: Streamlining the RoW process will ensure
   operators can bury cables securely and proactively plan for infrastructure protection in
   partnership with local governments.
4.  Adoption of Technology: Leveraging geospatial mapping and real-time monitoring
   tools will enable better identification of high-risk zones and faster response to
   incidents.
5. Increased interest and Support from the Nigerian Media: Media stakeholders
   should support Public and private sector actors to drive targeted campaigns and public
   enlightenment on the importance of telecom infrastructure and the dire consequences
   of fibre cuts.

Nigeria’s digital economy is a critical pillar of our national development strategy. To achieve
the ambitious targets of the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 and unlock the full potential of critical initiatives of the Federal Government like the 3 Million Technical Talents 3MTT which aims to train and find job placements for 3 million Nigerian youths (local and international) by 2027, the “Project 774” of the Federal Government of aimed at digitizing all the 774 local government offices across the country for efficiency, and private sector led developmental initiatives such as the Airtel-UNICEF Reimagine Education Project where Airtel Africa has committed $57m to connect children to digital learning across the 14 countries of its operations in Africa, with Nigeria taking the lead,  our telecommunications
networks must be protected with the same rigor we reserve for our power grids, water systems, and transportation networks.

The time to act is now. Together, we can ensure that Nigeria’s telecommunications
infrastructure remains resilient, reliable, and ready to power the future. Failure to act will cost us more than just dropped calls—it will jeopardize our journey to a truly connected nation.

***Femi Adeniran is the Director, Corporate Communications& CSR at Airtel Nigeria.