Telecommunication operators across Nigeria have warned that network services could deteriorate further in the coming days unless security agencies urgently address the rising spate of vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure.
The operators, under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), expressed deep concern over what they described as an alarming wave of sabotage, which they say is crippling the nation’s digital backbone and undermining billions of naira in new investments.
Some telcos have recently admitted that their network performance has been subpar, but insist that the blame lies squarely on growing insecurity, not operational inefficiency.
“At the wake of the marginal price adjustment that the NCC approved for the sector, we promised to optimize our networks to give Nigerians a very robust service,” said a top official of a leading mobile network operator who asked not to be named.
“But what we are seeing after making such huge investments is that vandals are carting away our facilities without a challenge and selling them in open markets. That’s why services are a bit poor, and that is why, if nothing is done urgently, it will get worse.”
He added that critical improvements made to enhance user experience, including signal quality and data speed, are being eroded by rampant theft and destruction of telecom assets across the country.
In a joint statement signed by ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, and Publicity Secretary, Damian Udeh, the group lamented that despite the Federal Government’s earlier efforts to support industry sustainability, criminals are frustrating progress.
“Since the Federal Government’s decisive interventions earlier this year, our members have committed unprecedented levels of investment in network optimisation and capacity upgrades,” ALTON said.