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From Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has petitioned the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over a three-month internet blackout, affecting Zamfara North, describing the situation as a digital siege that has crippled education, business and social life in the region.
In an open letter to the NCC’s executive vice chairman, the NUJ’s zonal secretary (Zone A, North West), Abdulrazak Bello Kaura, expressed deep concern over the prolonged shutdown of internet services by major telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel and Glo, without any official explanation to subscribers.
The affected areas include Birnin Magaji, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi and Zurmi local government areas, with a combined population of over 1.78 million people.
Kaura noted that the blackout has disrupted digital businesses, paralysed academic activities in institutions, such as the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, and stifled commercial hubs, like Shinkafi and Kasuwar Daji international markets.
“Zamfara North is blessed with talented and innovative youths, who thrive on digital businesses and modern entrepreneurship. Cutting off internet services in such an environment has paralysed businesses, disrupted education and forced many young people into joblessness and migration, thereby creating fertile ground for insecurity and social unrest,” the letter read in part.
He warned that the continued denial of internet access risks compounding the state’s already fragile socio-economic and security situation, adding that idle youths could easily become vulnerable to criminal recruitment and radicalisation.
Citing the Nigerian Communications Act (2003), Kaura stressed that the NCC has a clear mandate to ensure quality service delivery, protect subscribers’ rights and resolve disputes between operators and consumers.
He argued that the silence of telecom providers and the regulatory inaction in the face of the blackout amounted to a violation of service obligations.
The NUJ demanded that the NCC direct all telecom providers to immediately restore internet services in Zamfara North, compel operators to compensate subscribers for the prolonged blackout, enforce compliance with service quality standards, including prior notification of disruptions and safeguard youths’ access to digital opportunities that drive education, employment and entrepreneurship.
“Zamfara North is one of the fastest-growing regions in Nigeria. Our communities cannot afford to be left behind in the digital economy while the rest of the country advances,” Kaura stressed.
The letter concluded with an appeal for timely and decisive action by the NCC to restore trust, safeguard the region’s future and uphold its mandate as a people-centred regulator.
