Nigeria’s ambitions to build a strong digital economy have been severely hampered by widespread damage to key telecommunications infrastructure, with more than 40,000 network disruptions recorded in the first eight months of 2025. The figures, disclosed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), underline how frequent fibre-optic cable cuts, vandalism and disputes over access to critical sites are weakening the backbone of the country’s telecom networks and delaying progress towards national broadband targets.
Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, revealed that between January and August 2025 there were nearly 19,400 fibre cable cuts across the country. In the same period, telecom operators experienced about 3,200 cases of equipment theft and more than 19,000 instances where they were denied access to their own sites. These disruptions caused lengthy service outages, frustrated consumers and pushed up the cost of maintaining and repairing infrastructure.
The impact of these interruptions has been felt widely. Nigeria failed to reach its broadband penetration goal of 70 per cent by the end of 2025, despite some growth. By November, broadband coverage had risen to just over 50 per cent, an improvement from the previous year but far short of the target set under the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025).
For telecom companies, the ongoing damage to fibre networks is not only a technical challenge but a financial burden. Repair costs run into billions of naira, diverting funds that could otherwise be used to extend services into underserved areas. For example, one major operator reported thousands of fibre cuts in 2025 alone, with many attributed to poor coordination during road works or deliberate vandalism.
The consequences of these disruptions stretch beyond slower internet speeds. They affect businesses, education, healthcare services, banking and emergency communications, all of which increasingly depend on reliable broadband connectivity. In rural and poorly served regions, repeated outages deepen the digital divide, leaving communities cut off from essential online services that could improve daily life.
To tackle the problem, regulators and security agencies have stepped up efforts to protect telecom assets, including classifying them as critical national infrastructure and enhancing enforcement. The NCC has also launched real-time reporting tools and is working with security forces to deter theft and sabotage.
Industry experts say that tackling the root causes of fibre damage such as better planning of road construction, clearer access rights, public awareness campaigns and stronger penalties for infrastructure sabotage will be crucial for Nigeria to meet future broadband targets. Without significant improvements, stakeholders warn that the next broadband plan, covering 2025–2030, could face the same setbacks.
Despite the challenges, there are signs of progress in site upgrades and network deployments. However, unless the cycle of damage and disruption is broken, Nigeria’s goal of becoming a competitive digital economy may remain out of reach.
