Nigeria to Make Destruction of Broadband Fiber Cables a Criminal Offense

Nigeria is on the verge of implementing tougher measures against the destruction of broadband fiber cables following persistent complaints from leading telecom operators like Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and MTN Nigeria. These companies have reported substantial financial losses due to cable damage, which has prompted the Nigerian government to consider criminalizing such acts.

The proposed legislative changes, to be enacted through an executive order by President Bola Tinubu, are being finalized by the works ministry that coordinates federal road construction projects. Current laws that prohibit vandalism will be strengthened to hold construction firms accountable when they are responsible for cable damages. This new directive is expected to introduce stringent penalties for those found guilty of such infractions.

Temitope Ajayi, a senior aide to the President, highlighted the importance of telecom infrastructure as essential to the nation’s economy, underpinning critical sectors from healthcare to finance. The Association of Telecommunications Companies (ATCON) has been a vocal advocate for making the destruction of cables a criminal offense, pushing for regulations that safeguard telecom companies’ investments against vandalism and criminal activities.

The Nigerian Communications Commission forecasts that the telecom sector will contribute significantly to the national GDP by 2027. However, challenges like currency depreciation and soaring energy costs have increased operational burdens on these businesses.

Reports reviewed by Bloomberg indicate that the financial toll from cable damage, including repairs and lost revenue, reached nearly N27 billion ($23 million) in the previous year. Companies like MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa Plc have borne the brunt of these costs due to frequent cable damage, which has caused widespread service disruptions for their customers.

MTN Nigeria, the nation’s leading wireless carrier, recorded more than 6,000 incidents of fiber cable cuts last year alone. These disruptions were primarily caused by road construction activities and accidental damage, prompting MTN to invest over N11 billion to relocate around 2,500 kilometers of fiber cables to safer locations during 2022 and 2023.

Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, President of ATCON, expressed his approval of the impending presidential order. He stressed that protecting vital telecommunications infrastructure is crucial for Nigeria’s ongoing economic growth and technological development.