By Elizabeth Godwin
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is on the brink of a nationwide blackout as a diesel supply crisis threatens the operation of approximately 16,000 telecom sites.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) issued the warning on Thursday, citing the ongoing blockade of diesel depots by oil and gas union members as the catalyst for the crisis.
According to ALTON, members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) have blocked access to key diesel loading facilities in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko (Delta State). The action has effectively crippled fuel deliveries to telecom infrastructure, particularly impacting IHS Towers – a major telecom infrastructure provider – which is now unable to power thousands of cell sites across the country.
“These sites are vital not only for mobile and internet services to millions of Nigerians but also support essential services such as banking, hospital systems, emergency services, and national security operations,” said ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo.
The blockade stems from an ongoing dispute following IHS Towers’ allegations of diesel misappropriation involving two NOGASA-linked companies – a matter currently under investigation. While ALTON stressed that it does not interfere in third-party disputes, it warned that the implications of this standoff for critical national infrastructure are too serious to ignore.
ALTON has called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and other authorities to intervene urgently. The association also reminded stakeholders that telecom infrastructure is officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) and any disruption could carry legal consequences.
Appealing for dialogue, ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted service, warning that continued disruptions threaten Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and economic stability.
