Nigeria’s telecom industry is facing a major crisis as about 16,000 telecom sites could be shut down due to a shortage of diesel, which is needed to power their operations.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) raised the alarm, warning that the country may soon experience a nationwide communication blackout. This is due to disruptions in the diesel supply chain, which powers most telecom infrastructure across the country.
The shortage began after members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) blocked key diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko in Delta State on Tuesday. This action has stopped diesel supply to major telecom operators like IHS Towers, putting thousands of cell sites at risk of shutting down.
The chairman of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, said that these telecom sites are not only responsible for mobile and internet services for millions of Nigerians but also support critical services such as banking, hospital systems, emergency response, and national security.
The fuel supply blockade is linked to an ongoing dispute. IHS Towers accused two companies affiliated with NOGASA of being involved in diesel misappropriation. This matter is currently under investigation by the authorities.
While ALTON clarified that it does not interfere in third-party disputes, it stressed that the standoff is endangering critical national infrastructure. The association urged NUPENG and NOGASA to resolve the issue through legal means and warned that telecom infrastructure is protected under Nigerian law as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). Any deliberate disruption could lead to serious legal consequences.
ALTON also called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and other government agencies to step in immediately to prevent the situation from worsening.
Despite the current challenges, ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to providing stable and reliable telecom services across Nigeria. However, it warned that continued disruptions like this could severely impact the nation’s digital economy and the delivery of essential services.
In summary, the diesel blockade has brought telecom fuel supply to a halt in key parts of the country. The operators are urging for a quick resolution to prevent large-scale service outages that could affect millions of people and vital national systems.
