Telecom
As Nigeria Celebrates Seven Years of GSM
This month of August marks seven years since the country began the liberalization of telecommunications industry through adoption of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology.
The Nigerian telecommunications industry has experienced significant growth in the last seven years, following the successful take-off of the digital mobile telephone services, using GSM technology. From less than 500,000 active fixed telephone lines as at mid 2001, to a population of over 120 million, the total number of connected fixed and mobile telephone lines increased to about 53 million both active and inactive lines this June.
However the entrance of the GSM technology has brought about such a revolutionary transformation that millions of Nigerians with no access to telecommunications now clutch mobile phones in their millions. It is a common sight these days to see traders, fish sellers, hawkers, motorcycle riders among others using mobile phones. The staggering number of subscribers on the three major GSM networks of MTN, Globacom and Zain as Nigeria celebrates 7 years of operations, is a testimony to the hunger of Nigerians for communications.
It is clear that Nigeria cannot celebrate the advances recorded in the communications sphere without acknowledging the contributions of Ernest Ndukwe, the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Ndukwe has over the years emerged as the face of GSM in Nigeria through his transparent handling of the regulatory affairs of the telecoms sector.
Since February of 2001 when he supervised the auctioning of GSM licences in the country, he has conducted the affairs of the regulatory functions of the commission in such a way that other countries in Africa now come to Nigeria to understudy the regulatory processes that has seen the sector emerge as the largest and fastest growing in Africa and the 3rd fastest growing in the world.
Several research firms across the globe have commended the Nigerian government and Ndukwe, one of the most sought-after telecom resource persons in the telecommunications industry in Africa for an effective transparent and foreign investment attracting regimes in the continent. In spite of the recent downturn in the quality of service dished out by operators characterized by drop calls, undelivered text messages, Ndukwe’s starling qualities as a regulator of note is still intact.
However, beyond the celebration of seven years of GSM, the NCC had taken several measures to tackle the issues of quality of service. One of the ways the NCC has shown that it was serious in tackling issues of quality of service was in the area of the enforcing its regulatory powers to stop operators from further promos that has been a major cause of network congestion witnessed in recent times. By this action the NCC sent a message that no operator is above the law and that they must conform to measures that will save the sector from further deterioration due to their poor service delivery. The commission has also procured equipments that will enable it monitor congestion and service quality of the various networks in the country.
It also ensured that operators paid their subscribers N175 compensation for poor quality of service experienced in January this year, even as some operators protested by taking the commission to court. It stood its ground and made this happened.
Benefits
In the last seven years, since the GSM revolution hit the nation, a lot of benefits have been enjoyed by the Nigerian subscriber who was hitherto at the mercy of the almost nonexistent epileptic services rendered by the Nigerian Telecommunications Nitel. Since then, the monopoly of non effective service rendered by Nitel has been broken and communication across regions enhanced by GSM thus encouraging the socio economic growth of the nation, enhancing business and social relationships. The fact is that effective communication is crucial and cannot be overemphasized. With a teledensity presently below 35 % and a subscriber base of 53 million as at the end of June, one could say that a feat has been achieved by the GSM revolution in connecting Nigerians to a critical service given the fact that before the advent of GSM, teledensity was less than 4% and only about five hundred thousand Nigerians had access to telephony services in a nation of over a hundred million people.
Then having a telephone was a class thing and only the rich could afford the luxury and the muscle to withstand the stress of Nitel technicians who used to hold subscribers to ransom at every little opportunity. Then it was a common sight to see the technicians asking for ladder and cables and all sorts to fix a line anytime a problem arises, it was indeed a nightmare. One could easily recall the stress of keeping vigil at the offices of Nitel in a bid to make calls and be confronted with the common problem of no tone come back tomorrow and so on. But thanks to President Obasanjo and the coming of GSM all that is now history.
The GSM revolution in the country has indeed contributed over 80 percent of $12 billion private investment in the sector as well as account for $10 billion foreign direct investment. It has also stimulated local investment and increased job opportunities. It is a common scene in urban areas of young men and women sitting under an umbrella provided for them by GSM operators making calls for people at token. This umbrella call centre initiative is today providing food to greater percentage of unemployed Nigerians, aside this are others who are trading in recharge cards and other products of GSM operators.
The benefit of GSM technology is enormous and still increasing as it gets expanded, we may not easily forget that Nigerians are now turning GSM engineers, these are our young countrymen and women who eke their living through repair of mobile handsets. The popular Otigba computer village is no longer computer village in its sense as the sale of mobile handset has almost taken over business at the market.
The revolution has also indirectly stimulated development and vibrancy of some sectors of the economy, such sectors are leveraging on the technology deployed by GSM operators to provide services to their customers, A case in point is the banking sector, where banks are offering mobile banking which give customer the opportunity to monitor and carry out transactions on the move through their mobile phones. Most Automated Teller Machines (ATM) deployed by banks is working with the help of GSM General Package Radio Service (GPRS) deployed by operators.
There has been an increased turnover for advertising and marking communications services basically because of the GSM operators that uses the channel often times to reach their subscribers as campaign for more subscribers.
Challenges
In spite of the benefits Nigerians are enjoying from the advent of GSM technology, the operators are not finding it a world of roses in rendering services. The much talked about poor quality of service is a function of weak infrastructure base, operators have been powering their equipment with generators which are not the case in most environment. This is attributed to inefficient public power system. Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations reveal that the three major operators in this space, MTN, Glomobile and Zain are powering their over 14,000 base transceiver stations with 28,000 generators. They are also providing security for their equipment which has not deterred unscrupulous Nigerians from stealing these generators and diesel. At last count in December last year Zain, Glomobile and MTN lost a total of 290 generators and over a million litres of diesel, this is indeed a huge lost to bear by operators.
There is also the problem of area boys. One of the operators has had to shutdown one of its sites in Lagos due to incessant demand of huge settlements by Area Boys. In the Niger-Delta area, one of the operators reported that over 30 of its sites have become inaccessible due to militant youths, who have refused them to refuel or maintain the sites except they parted with huge sums of money. It is unfair on the GSM operators, who unlike the oil companies are not taking any natural resource but building telecommunications infrastructure around the country.
Operators are also face with multiple taxation imposed on their equipment by different tiers of government, Abuja capital development authority had impose N3 million annual fee on each base station in the metropolis. More so, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (Alton), the umbrella body of the telecom operators, are in court with Lagos state government over the later imposition of N500,000 fee per base station in the state.
The regulatory body also needs to ensure that competition is enshrined in all market segment of the sector as well as maintain favourable regulatory and investment climate, required for the protection of consumers. This is necessary in view of anti competitive behavour of some GSM operators.
The next phase of the Telecommunications growth will come from the rural areas. With a paltry 40 percent of the country being covered with telecommunications services, it is obvious that a huge gap needs to be tapped and already the focus for now by stakeholders and investors is on the rural area and how ICT services can be deployed to the rural communities. Investors are falling over themselves to come to Nigeria and do business mostly as a result of the fact that in spite of the infrastructural problems posed by lack of power, roads among other, Nigeria has a high return on investments rate. It is a fertile ground for any investor to recoup their investments, because of its population. Before now, the country has witnessed higher investments in the urban areas as opposed to lower investments in the rural areas by telecoms operators. In order to bridge this gap, telecommunications and internet services need to be deployed to the rural areas.
The NCC under Ndukwe should not relent in its efforts of playing its regulatory functions in an effective manner. Nigeria has a lot to gain and cannot afford to loose sight of the fact that an effective regulatory environment has to a large extent helped in steering the ship of the nation’s telecoms revolution.
As Nigeria celebrate this seventh year of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), subscribers await the introduction of number portability which is believed will in no small measure help in address the quality of service issues.
NCC need to be commended for rising up to the challenges of regulation, especially with SIM registration, call centre initiative, consumer parliament and its current effort at ensuring that physically challenged group in the society are fairly treated by operators.
Telecom
Operators Seek Action Over Persistent Vandalization of Telecommunications Infrastructure Across Nigeria

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has expressed deep concern over the increasing wave of vandalization and theft of telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
According to a statement signed by Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, “since the Federal Government’s decisive interventions earlier this year to support industry sustainability, our members have committed unprecedented levels of investment in network optimization and capacity upgrades. New systems are being deployed, transmission equipment modernized, power systems overhauled, and thousands of kilometers of fiber optic networks currently being laid and expanded.
“Our industry has not seen this scale of investment in recent years. We are working round the clock to improve the quality of service nationwide and we cannot afford these setbacks.
“Unfortunately, between May and July, 2025, multiple incidents of vandalism were recorded across cell sites in Rivers, Ogun, Osun, Imo, Kogi, Ekiti, Lagos, Federal Capital Territory Abuja and many other states.
“These acts of sabotage have significantly disrupted network services, causing widespread connectivity blackouts leading to degradation of services and severely impacting millions of subscribers”.
He noted that, the affected infrastructure, primarily belong to ALTON members, as well as other network operators and those who depend on operators for connectivity.
He said identified critical components targeted to include; power cables, rectifiers, fiber optic cables, feeder cables, diesel generators, batteries, and solar systems are vandalized and stolen from active sites.
“These are not mere materials, but they are the backbone of our digital economy, security systems, and national communications grid.
“We are alarmed at the frequency, intensity, and geographical spread of these incidents. States such as Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, FCT, Kaduna, Niger, Osun, Kwara and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have recorded the highest number of attacks on telecom infrastructure. These attacks have led to prolonged downtimes, network congestion, widespread blackouts, and degradation of service quality.
The public he said, must be reminded that telecommunications infrastructure is classified as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) under the National Security framework. This classification is backed by Federal Government Gazette No. 133, Volume 108, dated 17th March 2021. Vandalism, sabotage, or illegal possession of these assets is a serious criminal offense with grave consequences.
ALTON expressed concerned about the rising market for stolen telecom equipment, such as:
– Power Cables, Power rectifiers, which are stolen from base station and sold into open markets
– Batteries which are stolen from base stations and sold for home and office inverters.
– Solar panels that are stripped from telecom sites and resold to unsuspecting households.
– Diesel fuel being siphoned from sites and traded on the grey market.
“We urge the public to be vigilant and refrain from purchasing suspicious items. If you buy stolen telecom equipment, you are not just complicit you are part of the crime.
We appeal to every Nigerian to please join us in the fight against the vandalization of telecom infrastructure.
“These assets serve us all, they enable our banking systems, security infrastructure, emergency response, education, health services, and the very platforms that power daily communication. An attack on telecom infrastructure is an attack on our economy and our security.
“A second, recurring and deeply worrying issue is the widespread damage to underground fiber optic cables caused by road construction and related civil infrastructure projects along major highways and urban roads. These activities have led to significant service outages and financial losses,” he added.
ALTON called on: – the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Inspector General of Police, the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
to immediately deploy the necessary resources to protect telecommunications infrastructure and prevent a total breakdown of communications across the country.
“We commend the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its proactive efforts in safeguarding national telecom infrastructure, particularly through the creation of a dedicated reporting portal.
“This initiative empowers citizens to play an active role in protecting critical assets by reporting incidents of vandalism or suspicious activity via protect@ncc.gov.ng or by dialing 622.
“Such forward-thinking measures are vital to ensuring the resilience and security of our communications network. This is a desperate and urgent hour. The industry cannot fight this battle alone. We need coordinated national action by the security agencies, the government at all levels, regulators, the media, civil society, and the public. Our national security, economic stability, and digital future depend on it,” the statement noted.
Telecom
MTN’s $150m Data Hub Gets Government Nod for Advancing Digital Economy

At the unveiling of MTN Nigeria’s Dabengwa Data Centre and Cloud Launch in Ikeja, Lagos, recently, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described the facility as an investment aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to grow Nigeria’s digital economy.
Tijani, who graced the event, commended MTN Nigeria for its continued investment in the country, noting that the new data centre – estimated to cost around $150 million – is the kind of technological infrastructure that supports the $1 trillion economy the current administration aims to build.
“An investment like this, the one we are here to launch, offers a platform for our young people to thrive,” Tijani said. He continued: “Enterprise-grade infrastructure like this, on our soil, gives startups, developers, and digital creators the ability to build and scale from Nigeria to the world. With this facility, MTN is reinforcing its position as Nigeria’s digital backbone.
The data centre, named after the late Sifiso Dabengwa, a former CEO of MTN Nigeria and later Group Chief Operating Officer before his passing in September last year is being hailed as Nigeria’s largest prefabricated modular data centre It will deliver 4.5 MW in phase 1, with an additional 4.5 MW to be delivered in phase 2, which is expected to be completed soon.
According to the Minister, the MTN Data Centre will contribute to growing Nigeria’s economy by “unlocking productivity, hiring enterprise, and driving diversification through technological innovation and inclusion.”
“For this reason, if you don’t mind,” he added, “let’s rise and give a round of applause to MTN for their consistent commitment to Nigeria. The administration of President Bola Tinubu recognises that we cannot build a modern, diversified economy without modern infrastructure – both physical and digital.”
In his welcome address, Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, thanked the Federal Government for its continued support and reiterated the company’s commitment to long-term investment in the country.
“We are committed to building locally managed, globally competitive digital platforms that will enable businesses to scale faster and engage more people in wide-ranging research and development.
“At MTN, we believe everyone, particularly Nigerians and Africans, deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life. We continue to push boundaries to make the humanly impossible, conceivable, feasible, and ultimately possible,” he said.
The unveiling ceremony drew other stakeholders, policymakers, and members of the public sector, all of whom applauded MTN’s bold move, not just as a telecom giant, but as a leader in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, providing a platform to accelerate digital transformation and innovation.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), represented by Engr. Babagaba Digima, Deputy Director, New Media and Information Security Department, said: “Today marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and technological independence. The infrastructure we celebrate today embodies our collective vision of a digitally empowered Nigeria.”
Commending MTN’s leadership in digital innovation, Engr. Digima noted, “The Commission remains committed to creating an environment that supports innovation while ensuring the highest standards of cybersecurity, data protection, and robust internet infrastructure. We will continue to work closely with operators to ensure that the deployment of critical infrastructure meets the high standards our digital economy deserves.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, represented by Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the State Government, said the Dabengwa Sifiso Data Centre “not only signifies MTN’s unwavering commitment to investing in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure but also reinforces the strategic importance of Lagos as a technology and innovation hub for the nation.”
“As we all know, data is the new oil, and cloud technology is the engine that drives it. With its Tier III facilities, MTN is raising the bar for secure, scalable, and efficient enterprise services, critical enablers for businesses, public services, and national as well as multinational corporations alike,” she said.
With its bold investment in infrastructure, MTN Nigeria is not only shaping the future of connectivity but also laying the foundation for a more inclusive and innovation-driven economy, one where Nigerian talent and ideas can thrive on the global stage.
Telecom
Critical Telecom Infrastructure Under Siege as Vandalism and Theft Rise – ALTON

Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has decried the alarming rate of vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The association, in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Sir Damian Udeh, expressed deep concern over the increasing wave of sabotage in view of the disruptive impacts on network services, causing widespread connectivity blackouts and impacting millions of subscribers.
According to the group, the affected infrastructure does not totally belong to its members but to other mobile network operators (MNOs) and those who depend on them for connectivity.
It clarified: “Critical components such as power cables, rectifiers, fiber optic cables, diesel generators, batteries, and solar systems are vandalized and stolen from active sites.”
ALTON lamented that these acts of sabotage had led to prolonged downtimes, network congestion, widespread blackouts, and degradation of service quality.
The association listed the states with high frequency and intensity of attacks on telecom infrastructure as including Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, FCT, Kaduna, Niger, Osun, Kwara, and Abuja recording the highest number of
It reminded the public that telecommunications infrastructure had been classified as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) under the National Security framework and that vandalism remained a serious criminal offence with grave consequences for those engaging in the despicable acts.
ALTON, therefore, urged the public to recognize the severity of these incidents and the impact on the digital economy, security systems, national communications grid and the negative implications for national development.
It assured the public of its working tirelessly to improve the quality of service nationwide and called for urgent action by the governments, security agencies and the public to prevent the collapse of the nation’s telecommunications industry.
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