Nigeria Takes Action to Prevent Fibre Cuts Disrupting Telecom Services

Nigeria has launched a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables to safeguard its telecommunications infrastructure and reduce the frequent fibre cuts disrupting services nationwide.

This initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE), aims to tackle the growing challenge of fibre damage, which is primarily caused by road construction and maintenance activities.

Rising Fibre Cuts and Their Impact

In 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded over 50,000 fibre cuts, with nearly 30,000 attributed to road construction projects. These incidents have caused major network outages, including the February 2024 nationwide MTN service disruption, which left millions of subscribers disconnected for hours.

The government’s new approach seeks to minimise these disruptions by improving coordination between telecom operators and construction firms.

New Committee to Improve Infrastructure Protection

The committee, inaugurated on February 18, 2025, includes representatives from:

• The Federal Ministry of Works
• The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy
• The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

It will serve as a coordinating body to establish clear communication protocols and develop strategies to prevent cable damage.

Permanent Secretary at FMoW, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, stated that the committee’s key objectives include:

• Standardizing engagement procedures between telecom firms and road contractors.
• Ensuring fibre placement is considered in road design and construction planning.
• Enhancing instant communication mechanisms to prevent accidental fibre cuts.
• Collaborating with Federal Controllers of Works to enforce protective measures nationwide.

Strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Highlighting the critical role of fibre optics, Engr. Farouk Yusuf, Permanent Secretary at FMoCIDE, emphasized that reliable fibre networks are essential for broadband services, economic growth, and technological advancement.

Similarly, NCC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, stressed that reducing fibre cuts would lead to:

• Improved service quality for telecom users.
• Lower maintenance costs for operators.
• Accelerated broadband expansion across Nigeria.

“Every fibre cut leads to service disruptions and forces operators to spend heavily on redundant routes and repairs. If we prevent these incidents, telecom companies can redirect investments toward expanding network coverage,” Dr. Maida explained.

A Commitment to Long-Term Solutions

Looking ahead, the Nigerian government has pledged to integrate fibre optic ducting into all new road infrastructure projects, ensuring that telecom networks remain resilient. The Joint Standing Committee will meet regularly to assess progress, address emerging challenges, and refine its strategy to protect Nigeria’s digital future.