Nigeria’s Telecom Industry Faces ₦35bn Annual Losses From Fibre Cuts

By GLEBM News Desk

Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is facing significant infrastructure losses as repeated fibre-optic cuts continue to disrupt network services and increase the cost of maintaining connectivity.

Industry stakeholders estimate that between ₦27 billion and ₦35 billion is lost annually through fibre repairs and related revenue leakage.

The problem is becoming increasingly important as demand for mobile data and digital services continues to expand.

Nigeria’s telecom sector now contributes close to 10 per cent of GDP, while mobile data traffic has increased sharply as businesses, government agencies and households become increasingly dependent on digital connectivity.

Yet the infrastructure supporting that growth remains below estimated requirements.

Nigeria currently has about 68,000 kilometres of terrestrial fibre backhaul, compared with an estimated requirement of approximately 120,000 kilometres by 2030.

Network operators also face challenges from right-of-way costs, vandalism, road construction and other activities that can damage underground fibre infrastructure.

During the first quarter of 2026, operators reportedly recorded 577 major outages, with fibre cuts accounting for approximately three-quarters of the incidents.

The financial and service implications extend beyond telecom operators. When networks go down, businesses that depend on digital payments, cloud services, online communication and mobile commerce can also suffer disruptions.

Industry stakeholders are therefore calling for stronger infrastructure protection, coordinated road and telecommunications planning and policies capable of encouraging further investment in digital infrastructure.