Nigeria’s phone and internet services are hanging by a thread as workers who run the country’s telecom networks are sounding an alarm. Over 16,000 communication towers might shut down because oil workers have stopped delivering fuel they need to keep running. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has sent an urgent message to the government. As protests from oil workers are going to cause a diesel supply crisis, which is threatening to shut down about 16,000 telecom sites across the country.
Where the two major oil members and worker unions of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) have stopped fuel trucks from loading diesel at major depots in some major cities, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has issued a warning that more than 16,000 telecom base stations may shut down in the next few days.
Kaduna, Lagos, and Delta are among the impacted states, per a statement signed by the Association’s chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo.
According to the body, IHS Towers, one of Nigeria’s biggest providers of telecom infrastructure, has been unable to distribute diesel to thousands of telecom sites as a result of the action.
The operation of some of the telecoms across the country that serve Mobile Network Operators is in grave danger as a result of this action, which is allegedly the result of IHS’s accusations of diesel misappropriation against two NOGASA member companies and is being looked into by the appropriate authorities.
The disagreement between workers and this company dates back to early 2024, when IHS accused Korie’s companies of hoarding and diverting over 19 million litres of diesel meant for powering telecom towers. IHS Towers is one of the biggest companies that manages telecom infrastructure in Nigeria.
Internet blackout means mobile data services that millions rely on for work, school, and staying connected would stop working. Banking chaos could follow as mobile banking apps and ATM networks fail, leaving people unable to access their money. Emergency services could go down, making it impossible to call for help during emergencies.
Business disruption would affect companies that depend on internet and phone services. The has disrupted fuel deliveries critical to mobile, internet, banking, emergency, and security services for over 140 million Nigerians that’s more than half the country’s population. The diesel is used to power thousands of telecom sites, especially those run by IHS Towers, one of Nigeria’s largest network infrastructure companies.
These generators are the backup plan that keeps your phone working even when the lights go out. This crisis highlights how interconnected Nigeria’s infrastructure really is. When oil workers have a dispute with telecom companies, ordinary citizens end up paying the price.
It shows how fragile the systems we depend on every day can be. The timing couldn’t be worse either. Nigeria is increasingly becoming a digital economy, with millions of people relying on mobile for everyday transactions. A global network shutdown would be taking the country back several years.
ALTON has called on the federal government to step in and resolve this dispute quickly. They’re asking for immediate intervention to prevent what could become one of the worst communication blackouts in Nigeria’s recent history.
ALTON said, “These sites support vital services like banking transactions, hospital communications, emergency response systems, and national security operations, in addition to powering mobile and internet services for millions of Nigerians.”
In terms of the economic risk and national security, ALTON emphasised that activities harming national telecom infrastructure are unacceptable and represent serious threats to public welfare and economic stability, even if it highlighted that it does not become involved in conflicts between its members and outside parties.
Behind all these big numbers and corporate disputes are real people who will suffer if this crisis isn’t resolved. Students who rely on mobile internet for online classes, small business owners who use mobile banking, families trying to stay in touch, and anyone who might need emergency services. The dispute between IHS Towers and fuel suppliers might seem like a business problem, but its effects will cut across every corner of Nigerian society.
This crisis shows the weakness in Nigeria’s roads and power system, and as the country uses more technology, it’s more important to have steady power and fuel for phone networks.
The resolving of this immediate crisis will require all parties coming to an agreement such as the oil unions, IHS Towers, and the government. But the longer it goes on, the more difficult it becomes for Nigerians who just want their phones to work.
The committee reminded all parties involved that, in accordance with Nigerian legislation, communications infrastructure has been formally recognised as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). Therefore, there could be severe legal repercussions for any intentional roadblock or interruption that affects operations.
“We implore all parties to engage in productive communication in order to settle the issue without causing additional interruptions to vital services. According to Adebayo, disagreements must be settled within the parameters of valid contracts and relevant legal procedures.
ALTON is requesting that NUPENG and NOGASA leadership contact its members right away in order to restore access to diesel supply locations and issue orders.
In order to avert a possible nationwide communications blackout, it also called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and other important players to act immediately.
According to ALTON, “disruptions of this nature threaten the integrity of the nation’s digital and communications ecosystem and undermine our members’ ability to maintain and improve service delivery.”
The group restated its dedication to providing Nigerians with reliable and high-quality communication services, but cautioned that persistent barriers to operational logistics could sabotage these initiatives and have serious repercussions.
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