The relentless vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure in Nigeria is taking a severe toll on the country’s economy, with industry experts estimating annual losses exceeding N50 billion. Despite the former administration’s designation of telecom facilities as critical national infrastructure (CNI) to offer enhanced protection and prioritize their security, the troubling trend persists. The continued damage to these vital assets is not only stalling economic development but also posing significant risks to national security, experts warn.
During the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, several incidents of vandalism targeted telecommunications infrastructure, severely disrupting service delivery. These attacks have had a lasting impact, continuing to affect the reliability and efficiency of communication networks. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) confirmed that vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, including internet cables, occurred last Thursday, causing damage and impacting network performance.
In a telephone interview, the Secretary of ALTON, Mr. Gbolahan Awonuga, explained, „Vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, including internet cables, was reported. This resulted in network disruptions. There are a lot of cable cuts. Some individuals gained access to underground facilities and cut cables, which have impacted the telecommunications network immensely.“
Although engineers were already on the ground repairing and restoring services, the economic impact of the vandalism is far-reaching. Apart from the direct financial losses incurred by telecom operators, the disruption of services affects businesses, individuals, and government agencies. „The telecom industry has invested billions of naira in building and maintaining infrastructure across the country. These incessant attacks are not only financially crippling but also deter future investments. We urge the government to take decisive action to protect these critical assets,“ said Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of ALTON.
In 2022, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reported over 50,000 cases of major damage to telecom infrastructure and facilities across the country in five years, a major source of concern for a country striving to catch up with the rest of the world in digitizing its economy. The NCC reiterated these concerns, stating, „Telecom infrastructure is essential for driving economic growth and social development. Its protection is paramount for ensuring a robust and resilient digital ecosystem.“
The impact of vandalism of infrastructure is felt by all in the quality of services rendered, resulting in increasing drop calls, data and internet connectivity disruptions, aborted and undelivered short messaging services (SMS), as well as countless failed calls. An ICT consultant based in Abuja, Charles Ayodele, highlighted the broader implications of these attacks; „Beyond the immediate economic losses, the destruction of telecom infrastructure hinders innovation, job creation, and the overall digital transformation agenda. It is a setback for the nation’s progress.“
A security analyst, Kabiru Adamu, stated, „The vulnerability of telecom infrastructure poses significant security risks. It can disrupt communication channels essential for law enforcement and intelligence gathering. Protecting these assets is crucial for maintaining national security.“ Stakeholders advocate for a comprehensive approach that includes increased security measures, stricter penalties for vandalism, community engagement, and public awareness campaigns.
Another approach is engaging with communities to protect infrastructure within their localities. Stakeholders insist that the government must prioritize the protection of telecom infrastructure by allocating adequate resources to security and enforcement. Analysts also charged telecom operators to invest in robust security measures and engage in dialogue with communities to foster collaboration.
In a related development, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has called on the Federal Government to streamline the roles of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to avoid regulatory conflicts in the digital economy. In a recent report titled „Collaborative Regulation: Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Transformation,“ the ITU highlighted overlapping responsibilities between the two agencies, including policy development, data protection, and content regulation. The report emphasized the need for clear distinctions between their roles as the telecommunications, IT, and ICT sectors converge.
The ITU specifically pointed out the NITDA Amendment Bill, currently before the National Assembly, as an opportunity to clarify the agency’s mandate. While the bill aims to define NITDA’s role, it could inadvertently create conflicts with the NCC due to broad mandates and unclear distinctions between IT and ICT sectors. The ITU warned that without clear roles, it could lead to forum shopping, duplicated licenses, and increased costs for ICT companies.
The NITDA Amendment Bill has sparked controversy within the Nigerian ICT industry, with concerns that it grants NITDA excessive regulatory powers. Key stakeholders, including the Computer Professionals Council of Nigeria (CPN), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), have opposed the bill, fearing it will create a „super regulator“ in the ICT sector.
The Chief Executive Officer, ICT Derivatives Limited, Ayoola Oke, emphasized that NITDA’s original focus was on ICT adoption and infrastructure development, not regulation. He argued that the proposed bill is essentially a reenactment, not an amendment, as it seeks to transform NITDA into a regulator. „NITDA should concentrate on business development, talent cultivation, and job creation, leaving regulatory functions to existing agencies,“ he stated.
