Broken signals

Nigeria’s telecom sector faces severe threats from rising infrastructure vandalism, disrupting services. ALTON urges security intervention to protect critical national assets.

Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is under severe threat due to rising vandalism and sabotage of critical infrastructure, according to the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). Between May and July 2025, incidents surged across multiple states and the Federal Capital Territory, disrupting services for millions through the theft of power cables, rectifiers, and fibre optics. ALTON has appealed to security agencies for intervention, stressing that telecom infrastructure is classified as Critical National Infrastructure. Recent disruptions to SIM and NIN services further revealed systemic vulnerabilities, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure protection, diversified verification systems, and comprehensive contingency planning.