📍 Lagos — SK Voices | August 7, 2025
Nigeria’s telecommunications watchdog, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has issued a stern warning over the rising cases of vandalism and sabotage targeting the country’s fiber-optic infrastructure, reporting over 1,100 fiber cuts every week.
That’s not all:
🔒 545 cases of access denial
🛠️ 99 incidents of outright telecom equipment theft
⚠️ Why It Matters
According to NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida, these disruptions are crippling digital services, causing:
- ❌ Dropped calls
- 💳 Failed ATM and mobile transactions
- 🚑 Interrupted emergency services
- 💼 Losses in national productivity
“Each fiber cut weakens the foundation of our digital economy,” Maida warned. “This is not just telecom sabotage—it’s national sabotage.”
(via GazetteNG)
🛡️ The NCC’s Response Strategy
To combat the growing threat, the Commission is rolling out a 3-level action plan:
- 🧰 Enforce strict technical guidelines for telecom infrastructure deployment
- 📣 Launch national awareness campaigns on radio, social media, and local stations
- 🤝 Collaborate with the Office of the National Security Adviser to protect critical infrastructure
🗣️ Industry Voices Speak
👨💼 ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo:
Called on telcos to bolster physical security—including fencing, CCTV, and access locks. He also highlighted the role of scrap dealers in aiding telecom theft and urged enforcement agencies to take action.
🧑💻 NITRA President, Chike Onwuegbuchi:
Proposed a Telecom Infrastructure Protection Fund, modelled after security intervention funds, to assist operators in rebuilding and maintaining fiber networks.
🔍 Quick Recap
💥 Over 1,100 fibre cuts weekly
🔓 545 access denial cases
🧰 99 theft incidents
📶 Resulting in national network failures and lost revenue
👮♂️ Action underway from NCC, ALTON, and NITRA
📌 Final Word
Nigeria’s digital future depends on its connectivity. The NCC’s warning is not just a telecom issue—it’s a national wake-up call.
📰 Stay tuned to SK Voices for more updates on Nigeria’s tech, telecom, and infrastructure news.
