Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure is facing mounting stress. In just the first eight months of 2025, the nation recorded over 40,000 instances of Telecom disruptions, including fibre cuts, equipment thefts, and denials of site access — putting broadband expansion and service continuity under serious pressure. Business Amlive
At a recent forum, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), admitted that quality of service has deteriorated and urged operators to shift focus toward quality of experience (QoE). The Guardian Nigeria
Key Drivers of the Disruptions
Many disruptions stem from Right-of-Way (RoW) access delays and fragmented state policies. According to reports, 19,384 fibre cuts, 3,241 equipment thefts, and over 19,000 denials of access were logged during that period. Business Amlive+1
While some states have waived or capped RoW charges, others continue to impose high, unpredictable fees per linear metre, making infrastructure rollout costly and inconsistent. THISDAYLIVE+1
These challenges directly hinder the NCC’s ambition of hitting 70% broadband penetration and reliable digital connectivity nationwide. Ecofin Agency+1
Why It Matters
- Broadband goals at risk: Disruptions slow infrastructure deployment, making universal access harder.
- Service quality erosion: Customers face dropped connections, slower speeds, and inconsistent service.
- Investor confidence shaken: Telecom and infrastructure investors may reconsider expansion under volatile conditions.
As noted, 10% gains in broadband penetration could drive ~1.38% GDP growth in developing economies. TheCable
What’s Being Done — and What Needs to Be
The NCC is pushing for uniform adoption of 100% RoW waivers across all states to simplify rollout costs. THISDAYLIVE
Additionally, plans are underway for a Digital Connectivity Index to rank states by infrastructure readiness, incentivizing performance. Nigeria also aims to deploy 90,000 km of new fiber optic cables under its BRIDGE project to connect underserved regions. Ecofin Agency
Operators are committing to upgrade sites, expand capacity, and embrace QoE metrics (rather than just counting coverage). The Guardian Nigeria+1
Final Take
Nigeria’s ability to overcome these telecom disruptions will heavily influence its digital transformation trajectory. While rain, theft, and regulatory paralysis have long plagued network operators, 2025’s spike demands urgent, coordinated action.
If states align on RoW policy reform, and telecom firms strengthen resilience and accountability, Nigeria can still recover ground and maintain momentum toward universal, reliable connectivity.
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