Alarming Rise of Telecom Infrastructure Destruction Threatens Nigeria’s Telecommunications Services

In the past five years, Nigeria has experienced over 50,000 cases of major destruction to its telecom infrastructure and facilities, raising serious concerns about the quality of telecommunications services in the country. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, highlighted this alarming trend at the recent 2022 Youth Civil Society and Stakeholders Summit (YCSSS) held in Abuja.

Danbatta, speaking through the NCC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Nnena Ukoha, expressed deep worry over the adverse effects of these incidents on consumers’ Quality of Experience (QoE). Incidents of vandalism, including fibre cuts, theft of telecom equipment such as generators, and base station damage, have burdened service providers and disrupted the reliable provision of telecommunications services, leaving consumers frustrated.

The Chief Executive Officer of NCC emphasized that the consequences of infrastructure vandalism are felt by all, resulting in an increase in dropped calls, data and internet connectivity disruptions, undelivered SMS messages, and countless failed calls. He stressed the crucial role of the public and security agencies in combating this destructive trend and preserving the integrity of the telecom infrastructure.

Danbatta called upon individuals and communities to take responsibility for protecting critical national assets. He urged the public to promptly report any cases of infrastructure vandalism to law enforcement agencies such as the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Additionally, he encouraged people to share relevant information received from the NCC with their family, friends, and neighbors.

Recognizing the essential role of connectivity in various aspects of life, including business, government services, education, and social networking, Danbatta urged every community to actively participate in safeguarding the telecom infrastructure that enables these services. By working collaboratively with law enforcement authorities, critical stakeholders in the telecoms sector can contribute significantly to the protection of telecom infrastructure within their communities.

The rising wave of telecom infrastructure destruction poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s telecommunications services. It requires a collective effort from the public, service providers, and security agencies to curb this destructive trend. By raising awareness and taking proactive measures, Nigeria can mitigate the negative impact of infrastructure vandalism and ensure reliable and uninterrupted telecommunications services for its citizens.

ncc.gov.ng