Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator has called for stronger public cooperation in protecting telecom infrastructure, warning that any major disruption could severely impact the economy and national security.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued the appeal on Wednesday following its intervention in a dispute that threatened to halt diesel supplies to thousands of telecom sites across the country.
The planned industrial action by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, over unresolved fuel supply issues last week, would have crippled a critical lifeline for Nigeria’s $75 billion telecom industry — diesel-powered generators. Most of the nation’s 40,000-plus telecom towers run on generators due to persistent failures of the national power grid.
The NCC, working alongside the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), brokered a last-minute resolution with oil suppliers to avert the strike. Officials said the crisis underscored just how fragile Nigeria’s connectivity remains.
“Telecommunications infrastructure is the backbone of our connectivity and digital economy. Any disruption has far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability, and national security,” said National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, stressed that safeguarding infrastructure requires both technical regulation and public vigilance. He urged Nigerians to see telecom towers, fibre lines, and data facilities as shared national assets that power essential services — from business transactions to healthcare delivery, education, and national security operations.
“We recognise mediation as an effective tool for building consensus among stakeholders,” Maida said. “This resolution underscores the importance of dialogue in preventing avoidable service disruptions. Ultimately, we call on all Nigerians to protect these assets because they underpin our ability to connect with loved ones, transact businesses, access healthcare, pursue education, and participate in the global digital economy.”
Nigeria’s telecom sector — one of the fastest-growing in Africa — consumes more than 40 million litres of diesel monthly to keep base stations running, according to industry data. Analysts warn that any sustained fuel supply disruption could leave millions without voice and data services within days.
To reduce reliance on diesel and cut costs, operators are increasingly investing in hybrid energy systems, blending solar power, battery storage, and backup generators. The NCC and industry group GSMA estimate that such solutions could slash operating costs by up to 50% while cutting greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
Industry stakeholders say the recent fuel supply scare is a reminder that the country’s digital infrastructure, while vast, remains highly vulnerable to industrial disputes, vandalism, and energy supply challenges — and that its protection must be a shared national priority.
