At the GITEX Nigeria 2025 Conference, telecom leaders sounded the alarm over the energy crisis threatening Nigeria’s communications network.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Operating Officer, Ayham Mousa, warned that power shortages are the biggest obstacle facing the industry, saying they account for 70% of all network downtimes.
Telecom operators now spend about 30% of their operating costs powering more than 40,000 base stations nationwide. Mousa also revealed that MTN recorded 5,700 fibre cuts in the past six months, further straining services.
He called for the harmonization of Right of Way charges to enable faster fibre expansion and deliver connectivity to remote areas.
At the industry dialogue, NCC Executive Vice-Chairman Aminu Maida highlighted the sector’s dependence on diesel, which consumes over 40 million litres every month.
While the Dangote refinery is expected to provide some relief, Maida warned that without diversifying energy sources, the sustainability of Nigeria’s telecom sector remains under serious threat.
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