Nigerian Telecom Companies Form Working Group to Protect Infrastructure Amid Rising Vandalism

Nigerian telecom companies have come together to establish an Industry Working Group aimed at safeguarding their infrastructure across the country. This initiative is in response to the growing number of incidents involving fibre cuts, equipment theft, and vandalism, which are disrupting their operations.

The decision to form the group was made during a high-level meeting hosted by IHS Nigeria, which brought together key industry stakeholders, regulators, and law enforcement agencies. Operating under the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the group is focused on developing strategies to secure these vital assets.

The Working Group is addressing significant challenges such as base station shutdowns, damage caused by road construction, and unauthorized access to telecom sites. They are also making use of technology for real-time monitoring and enhancing security around critical locations. Additionally, they plan to collaborate with security agencies and launch public awareness campaigns to further protect the infrastructure.

Dapo Otunla, Senior Vice President at IHS Nigeria, emphasized the urgent need to protect telecom infrastructure, calling it crucial for ensuring quality service. He noted that daily losses from vandalism are impacting both the industry and its customers, underlining the importance of resolving these issues.

Notably, the Nigerian government has already recognized telecom infrastructure as critical national information infrastructure (CNII), making its destruction a criminal offense. President Tinubu signed this legislation into law last year, following a similar move by former President Buhari in 2020.

Despite these legal measures, vandalism remains a significant problem. The telecom industry’s proactive approach to address these challenges may be exactly what’s needed to enforce these protections effectively.

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