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Experts highlight vandalism, unauthorized installations, and cable theft as major threats.
Industry leaders have called for urgent measures to protect Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, warning that without addressing internal inefficiencies and standardization gaps, the Executive Order on the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) alone will not safeguard critical assets.
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At the 7th Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) Summit on CNII implementation, held Thursday in Lagos, experts emphasized pressing issues such as infrastructure vandalism, unauthorized installations, and rampant cable theft, proposing concrete strategies to enhance security and reliability.
Industry Experts Sound the Alarm on Infrastructure Challenges
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), stressed the importance of proper infrastructure installation and maintenance to curb vandalism and theft.
“Manhole covers and poles are frequently stolen due to poor installation and maintenance. When properly secured, these components are difficult to remove. Negligence is making them easy targets,” he explained.
Adebayo also pointed out that community resistance to telecom projects has hindered progress, recounting instances where residents blocked contractors and suppliers from accessing sites due to unresolved past damages.
“A diesel supplier was denied access to an estate because a previous contractor damaged property and failed to make repairs. This lack of accountability creates distrust and slows down critical projects,” he said.
Additionally, he highlighted the dangers of unapproved infrastructure installations, which frequently get destroyed during government-led road construction projects.
“Unregistered telecom infrastructure is often damaged because it is not documented in official government records. Standardized approvals and collaboration with regulators can prevent such issues,” Adebayo added.
Standardization and Policy Implementation: The Missing Links
Tony Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), echoed these concerns, emphasizing that Nigeria’s infrastructure problems go beyond technical issues to include environmental and ethical challenges.
“We are facing a moral challenge. One engineer switched from diesel to gas generators, only to find that workers started stealing engine oil instead. These are behavioral issues that require both technical and ethical solutions,” he noted.
Emoekpere stressed that standardization is key to long-term sustainability, warning that poorly deployed infrastructure is bound to fail.
“We need enforceable standards that all stakeholders—government, private sector, and the public—can align with. Policies exist, but enforcement is where we struggle,” he said.
Cable Theft: A Growing Crisis for Network Stability
The increasing problem of cable theft and vandalism was another major concern raised at the summit. Wale Owoeye, CEO of Cedarview Communications Limited, highlighted the devastating impact of frequent cable cuts on telecom operations and costs.
“Cable theft is a serious issue. Airtel representatives told me they experience a cable cut every six minutes. Many vandals assume that all black cables contain valuable copper, leading to indiscriminate destruction,” he explained.
To combat this growing threat, Owoeye proposed three key approaches:
- Public Reorientation – Engaging local communities in their native languages to educate them on the economic and security risks of vandalism.
- Strict Enforcement – Implementing harsh legal penalties, including long-term imprisonment, to deter offenders.
- Proactive Measures – Investing in preventive strategies rather than reactive solutions to protect telecom assets.
As a proactive step, Owoeye announced the creation of a dedicated industry fund for advocacy and awareness campaigns, pledging to contribute ₦500,000 quarterly as a seed fund, and urging other stakeholders to join the initiative.
“This is like planting a seed. With collective effort, we can grow it into a sustainable solution for protecting Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure,” he said.
A Call for Collective Action
The speakers collectively agreed that securing Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure requires a multi-stakeholder approach, including:
- Stronger policy enforcement to ensure compliance with CNII regulations.
- Improved industry coordination to standardize infrastructure deployment.
- Community engagement to prevent resistance and vandalism.
- Legal deterrents to curb unauthorized installations and cable theft.
- Financial commitment to support awareness campaigns and preventive measures.
With Nigeria’s telecom industry serving as the backbone of digital transformation, economic growth, and national security, stakeholders emphasized that failure to act now could have dire consequences. By collaborating across industry, government, and communities, they hope to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of Nigeria’s critical infrastructure.
