Nigeria: MTN Nigeria Battles Over 13,000 Fibre Cuts in 18 Months, Loses Billions to Network Disruptions

MTN Nigeria has revealed that it experienced more than 13,700 incidents of fibre cuts between January 2023 and June 2024, severely disrupting its network operations across the country.

Speaking during a recent visit by participants of the fourth Media Innovation Programme (MIP-4) from the Pan-Atlantic University’s School of Media and Communication, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Yahaya Ibrahim, highlighted the widespread impact of infrastructure vandalism and construction-related damage on telecommunications services.

According to Ibrahim, MTN suffers an average of 145 fibre cuts daily, primarily due to acts of vandalism and road construction activities. In 2023 alone, over 9,000 fibre cuts were recorded, with an additional 4,700 incidents reported in the first half of 2024.

A regional breakdown shows southern Nigeria as the most affected, accounting for 6,300 cuts—2,800 in the South West and 3,500 in the South East and South-South. Northern regions reported around 2,500 cuts. Specific hotspots include states like Akwa Ibom, Abia, and Rivers, while Omoku and Egbema have emerged as epicentres of fibre vandalism.

The financial implications are staggering. MTN disclosed that it spent approximately ₦17.6 billion in 2024 alone to repair damaged fibre cables, with an additional ₦26.3 billion allocated for cable relocation and maintenance.

“Sabotage and road construction account for nearly 70% of all fibre cuts,” Ibrahim stated, urging authorities to provide timely notifications ahead of roadworks near telecom infrastructure. He stressed that MTN complies with government regulations, including obtaining Right of Way (RoW) approvals and sharing network maps with relevant agencies to minimize disruptions.

Ibrahim noted that the average monthly network downtime due to fibre cuts stands at 15 hours, severely affecting mobile, data, and enterprise services.

To tackle the challenge, MTN has implemented several mitigation strategies including route monitoring, infrastructure diversification, community engagement, and construction bypasses. The telecom giant also welcomed the recent designation of telecom assets as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), describing it as a step in the right direction toward improved protection.

He emphasised the need for public awareness on the essential role telecommunications play in Nigeria’s economic and social stability.

“Connectivity has become a critical lifeline. From financial transactions and e-commerce to emergency response and education, telecoms power our daily lives. Disruptions to these services can have far-reaching consequences,” Ibrahim concluded.