Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is facing a critical threat as diesel supply disruptions deepen, putting over 16,000 mobile network sites at risk of shutdown, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has warned.
In a statement issued Thursday and signed by its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON said that members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) on Tuesday blocked access to diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko in Delta State, halting the distribution of diesel to thousands of telecom sites operated by IHS Towers, a major infrastructure provider to several mobile operators.
ALTON said the action, reportedly linked to an unresolved diesel misappropriation allegation between IHS and two member companies of NOGASA, is now endangering nationwide mobile and internet services and could result in service blackouts if not urgently addressed.
“These telecom sites are not just powering calls and data; they are the backbone of banking transactions, emergency response systems, hospital communications, and national security operations,” the statement read.
The group expressed grave concern about the wider implications of the supply blockade on critical national infrastructure and public welfare, warning that any deliberate interference with telecommunications operations could carry serious national security and legal consequences.
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“Telecommunications infrastructure has been officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) under Nigerian law. Any disruption to their operation constitutes a threat to national security and economic stability,” ALTON emphasised.
While stating it does not interfere in disputes between members and third parties, the association appealed to the leadership of NUPENG and NOGASA to call their members to order and restore access to fuel depots immediately. It also urged all parties involved to pursue lawful and constructive dialogue to resolve the matter.
“We recognise and deeply respect the vital role NOGASA and NUPENG have played in sustaining Nigeria’s energy supply chain. But we urge that these values be upheld without jeopardising the operation of an entire sector and the millions of lives and livelihoods that depend on it,” ALTON added.
With much of Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure heavily reliant on diesel generators due to unreliable grid power, any prolonged disruption in fuel supply poses a major risk to national connectivity and digital services.
As of press time, mobile operators had not confirmed whether any sites had already gone offline, but industry insiders say some locations are already operating on backup reserves, with timelines for outages shortening if access to fuel is not restored.
The federal government has not yet issued a formal response, but pressure is building for urgent intervention to prevent what industry stakeholders fear could escalate into a full-blown
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is facing a critical threat as diesel supply disruptions deepen, putting over 16,000 mobile network sites at risk of shutdown, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has warned.
In a statement issued Thursday and signed by its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON said that members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) on Tuesday blocked access to diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko in Delta State, halting the distribution of diesel to thousands of telecom sites operated by IHS Towers — a major infrastructure provider to several mobile operators.
ALTON said the action, reportedly linked to an unresolved diesel misappropriation allegation between IHS and two member companies of NOGASA, is now endangering nationwide mobile and internet services and could result in service blackouts if not urgently addressed.
Read also: Active telecom subscriptions fall below 172m in June amid SIM-NIN cleanup
“These telecom sites are not just powering calls and data; they are the backbone of banking transactions, emergency response systems, hospital communications, and national security operations,” the statement read.
The group expressed grave concern about the wider implications of the supply blockade on critical national infrastructure and public welfare, warning that any deliberate interference with telecommunications operations could carry serious national security and legal consequences.
“Telecommunications infrastructure has been officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) under Nigerian law. Any disruption to their operation constitutes a threat to national security and economic stability,” ALTON emphasised.
While stating it does not interfere in disputes between members and third parties, the association appealed to the leadership of NUPENG and NOGASA to call their members to order and restore access to fuel depots immediately. It also urged all parties involved to pursue lawful and constructive dialogue to resolve the matter.
“We recognise and deeply respect the vital role NOGASA and NUPENG have played in sustaining Nigeria’s energy supply chain. But we urge that these values be upheld without jeopardising the operation of an entire sector and the millions of lives and livelihoods that depend on it,” ALTON added.
