By Chinenye Anuforo
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Nigerian telecommunication companies faced a challenging May, collectively recording more than 30 network outages across various service points, leading to widespread frustration among subscribers who are now demanding improved quality of service. The frequent disruptions impacted voice calls, data connectivity, and even SMS services, significantly hindering personal and business communications throughout the month.
The outages, which varied in duration from a few minutes to several hours, affected millions of users nationwide. Reports from frustrated subscribers flooded social media platforms and customer service lines, detailing missed calls, failed online transactions, and prolonged periods without internet access. For many, these disruptions translated directly into lost productivity and financial implications, particularly for those reliant on stable internet for remote work, e-commerce, or digital banking.
While the exact causes for each outage have not been fully disclosed by the telcos, industry observers point to a combination of factors. These likely include infrastructure vandalism, fibre optic cable cuts due to ongoing construction, power supply instability affecting base stations, and potential technical glitches or capacity issues within the networks themselves. The sheer number of incidents in a single month raises concerns about the resilience and maintenance of the existing telecommunications infrastructure.
“The frequency of these disruptions in May is particularly alarming,” stated Afolabi Yewande, a telecommunications consumer based in Lagos. “It points to systemic vulnerabilities that need urgent attention. Businesses, especially those reliant on digital transactions and cloud services, are taking significant hits, and ordinary citizens are increasingly inconvenienced.”
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator, is reportedly engaging with network operators to ascertain the full extent of the damage and to compel operators to implement more robust measures. Sources within the NCC indicate that a comprehensive review of network resilience strategies is underway, with a focus on improving infrastructure protection and ensuring adequate backup power solutions.
The third biggest operator, Globacom, reported 13 incidents in May, the highest among the operators, mainly due to fibre cuts and power issues in states such as Lagos, Rivers, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory. 9mobile followed with 11 incidents, primarily citing power failures and technical faults.
The biggest operators, MTN and Airtel, reported five and four incidents, respectively. MTN’s disruptions were traced to fibre damage in Benue, Imo, and Akwa Ibom states, while Airtel cited service interruptions in Bayelsa and Abia due to vandalism and power-related failures.
Subscribers across the country have voiced their discontent.
“I couldn’t make calls for almost a day, and my internet was off and on for three days last week,” lamented Mr. Emeka Okoro, a small business owner in Ogun State. “It’s affecting my ability to connect with suppliers and process online orders. We rely on these networks for everything now.”
The economic ramifications of such widespread outages are substantial. Digital payment systems, e-commerce platforms, and remote work capabilities are heavily dependent on stable internet and voice services. Each hour of downtime translates into lost productivity, missed business opportunities, and a dent in consumer confidence. Experts estimate that the cumulative economic loss due to these outages in May could run into billions of Naira. For instance, according to Bloomberg, the telecom industry lost an estimated N27 bn in 2023 due to repairs and revenue losses linked to damaged fibre cables. Each outage in May 2025 is likely to have added millions of naira in additional costs.
Network operators, while acknowledging the challenges, often point to the difficult operating environment, including the high cost of diesel for generators, rampant infrastructure vandalism, and the slow pace of right-of-way approvals for fiber deployment. They emphasize ongoing investments in network expansion and resilience, including the deployment of alternative power sources and increased security measures for critical infrastructure.
However, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo, told stakeholders who converged in Lagos recently to review the 22-year-old communications act that operators lose significant revenue for every network downtime experienced.
He explained that outages caused by fibre cuts, power failures, and infrastructure vandalism not only disrupt services but also impose substantial financial burdens on operators.
In a bid to strengthen infrastructure protection, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 24, 2024, signed an executive order titled the ‘Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024.’ The order legally classifies certain information and communications technology systems, networks, and infrastructure in Nigeria as critical national assets.
To address the recurring crisis, telecom executives are calling for a Fibre Protection Framework that would centralise regulation, enable real-time monitoring, and introduce stringent penalties for those responsible for damaging fibre infrastructure.