By Your Name | August 23, 2025
MTN Nigeria, the country’s leading telecommunications provider, has faced a staggering 5,478 fibre optic cable cuts between January and July 2025, with road construction and vandalism identified as the primary culprits. This alarming figure, reported by TechCabal, underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure and the broader challenges facing the nation’s digital economy. In July alone, MTN recorded 760 fibre cuts, while June saw the highest number of incidents at 1,016, leading to widespread network disruptions that affected millions of subscribers. As Nigeria strives to become a digital hub in Africa, these disruptions highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions and stronger protections for critical telecom infrastructure.
The Scale of the Problem: 5,400+ Fibre Cuts in 2025
The sheer volume of fibre optic cable cuts—5,478 in just seven months—paints a troubling picture of the state of Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure. Fibre optic cables are the backbone of modern connectivity, transmitting vast amounts of data at high speeds to support internet access, voice calls, and digital services. When these cables are damaged, the ripple effects are immediate: dropped_calls, slow internet speeds, and disrupted access to essential services like mobile banking and emergency communications. For a country like Nigeria, where over 140 million people rely on mobile networks for internet access, these outages are more than an inconvenience—they’re a barrier to economic growth and digital inclusion.
According to MTN’s newsletter, one of the most severe incidents occurred in Kano, Adamawa, and Borno States, where a single act of vandalism knocked out services at 101 sites across 15 local government areas. Scheduled for repair on August 24, 2025, this incident exemplifies the scale of disruption caused by fibre cuts. MTN has been forced to rebuild, reroute, and restore infrastructure repeatedly to maintain network stability, a process that is both costly and time-consuming. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has also raised concerns, with Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida noting that the industry averages 1,100 fibre cuts weekly, a staggering statistic that highlights the systemic nature of the problem.
Why Are Fibre Cuts So Common in Nigeria?
The primary drivers of fibre optic cable cuts in Nigeria are road construction and vandalism, with roadworks accounting for over 60% of incidents. As Nigeria undergoes rapid urbanization and infrastructure development, state governments are expanding road networks to address transportation deficits. For example, Niger State, under Governor Umaru Bago, is constructing over 556 km of new roads, with plans to deliver 2,000 km in four years at a cost exceeding ₦1.2 trillion. While these projects are essential for economic development, they often involve digging that inadvertently severs buried fibre cables, disrupting telecom services.
Vandalism, however, is a more insidious threat. Deliberate damage to telecom infrastructure, often motivated by theft or sabotage, has surged in recent years. Criminals target fibre optic cables to steal copper components or sell the materials on the black market, unaware of the broader impact on connectivity. In some cases, vandalism is a byproduct of community disputes or protests, further complicating efforts to secure infrastructure. The NCC has emphasized that while telecom infrastructure is designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), enforcement of protective laws remains a challenge. Collaboration with communities, security agencies, and state governments is critical to addressing this issue.
Beyond road construction and vandalism, other factors contribute to the frequency of fibre cuts. Nigeria’s challenging terrain, including swampy regions and urban sprawl, makes it difficult to lay and maintain fibre cables. Additionally, a lack of coordination between telecom operators and construction firms often results in accidental damage. Suleiman Isah, Niger State’s Commissioner for Communications Technology and Digital Economy, acknowledged this issue, noting that the state is exploring aerial fibre technology—using power lines to string cables above ground—as an alternative to buried cables. This approach could reduce the risk of damage from construction but introduces new challenges, such as exposure to weather and theft.
The Impact on Nigeria’s Digital Economy
The frequent fibre cuts have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s digital economy, which relies heavily on stable connectivity. With over 70% of Nigerians using mobile networks for internet access, disruptions affect everything from online banking to e-commerce, education, and healthcare. Small businesses, which form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, are particularly vulnerable. A single network outage can halt transactions, disrupt supply chains, and erode customer trust. For example, a fintech startup relying on mobile data for real-time payments could lose significant revenue during an outage, while students accessing online learning platforms may miss critical lessons.
Large enterprises are not immune either. MTN Nigeria, which serves over 80 million subscribers, reported significant service disruptions in May 2025, alongside competitor 9mobile, due to fibre cuts and power outages. According to Uptime, a network monitoring platform, these incidents led to the highest number of major outages in 2025, with 9mobile reporting 31 major outages and MTN 25 between January and May. These disruptions not only affect customers but also strain the financial resources of telecom operators, who must invest heavily in repairs and network restoration.
The broader economic impact is staggering. Nigeria’s digital economy is projected to contribute significantly to GDP by 2030, but persistent infrastructure challenges could derail this growth. The country’s ambition to expand broadband penetration to 70% by 2025, as outlined in the National Broadband Plan, is at risk unless fibre cuts and other disruptions are addressed. Moreover, the rise of 5G networks and data-intensive applications like artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing demands robust infrastructure, making the current crisis a critical bottleneck.
MTN’s Response: Investments and Innovations
MTN Nigeria has taken proactive steps to mitigate the impact of fibre cuts and strengthen its network resilience. In 2025, the company committed ₦800 billion to network improvements, with ₦200 billion already spent in the first quarter. These investments focus on expanding fibre infrastructure, upgrading base stations, and deploying innovative solutions to reduce downtime. One notable initiative is the use of motorcycles for rapid response, allowing engineers to navigate traffic in urban centers like Lagos and conduct daily fibre cable inspections to detect issues early.
MTN is also exploring cutting-edge technology to protect its infrastructure. In July 2025, Yahaya Ibrahim, MTN’s Chief Technical Officer, announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) technology in collaboration with Huawei to monitor fibre optic cables. This system will detect vibrations, identify potential threats, and alert personnel to take swift action. By leveraging AI, MTN aims to reduce the incidence of fibre cuts and minimize service disruptions. Additionally, the company is investing in route diversity and construction bypasses to create alternative pathways for data traffic, ensuring continuity during outages.
Another significant development is MTN’s completion of the first phase of its $235 million Dabengwa Sifiso Data Centre in July 2025. This Tier III facility, with a 4.5MW IT load and 780 racks, marks MTN’s entry into the cloud computing market, offering localized hosting solutions to reduce reliance on foreign hyperscalers like AWS and Microsoft Azure. By strengthening its cloud infrastructure, MTN is positioning itself to meet the growing demand for low-latency, high-compliance services, which could mitigate the impact of fibre cuts by decentralizing data processing.
Solutions for a Resilient Telecom Future
Addressing Nigeria’s fibre cut crisis requires a multi-faceted approach involving telecom operators, government agencies, and communities. Here are some actionable solutions:
- Strengthen CNII Enforcement: The NCC’s designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) is a step in the right direction, but enforcement remains weak. The government must prioritize collaboration with security agencies and impose stricter penalties for vandalism to deter culprits.
- Improve Coordination with Construction Firms: State governments and construction companies should work closely with telecom operators to map fibre cable locations and avoid accidental damage during roadworks. Pre-construction surveys and real-time communication can minimize disruptions.
- Adopt Aerial Fibre Technology: As suggested by Niger State’s commissioner, aerial fibre technology could reduce the risk of damage from digging. While this approach has its challenges, it’s a viable alternative in high-risk areas.
- Community Engagement: Educating communities about the importance of telecom infrastructure can reduce vandalism. MTN’s efforts to collaborate with local stakeholders should be scaled up to foster a sense of shared responsibility.
- Invest in Redundancy: Telecom operators should invest in redundant fibre routes and backup systems to ensure continuity during outages. This approach, though costly, is essential for maintaining service reliability.
These solutions, combined with MTN’s ongoing investments in AI and infrastructure, could pave the way for a more resilient telecom sector in Nigeria. However, success will depend on sustained collaboration and a commitment to prioritizing connectivity as a national priority.
The Road Ahead for Nigeria’s Telecom Sector
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is at a crossroads. On one hand, the country is making strides toward digital transformation, with initiatives like MTN’s data centre and the NCC’s licensing of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) to enhance competition and innovation. On the other hand, persistent challenges like fibre cuts, power outages, and vandalism threaten to undermine these efforts. The 5,478 fibre cuts recorded by MTN in 2025 are a wake-up call for stakeholders to act decisively to protect critical infrastructure.
For businesses and consumers, the stakes are high. A reliable telecom network is essential for Nigeria to achieve its digital economy goals, attract foreign investment, and empower its growing population of tech-savvy youth. As MTN and other operators invest in solutions like AI monitoring, aerial fibre, and cloud infrastructure, the government must complement these efforts with stronger policies and enforcement. Only through collective action can Nigeria overcome its infrastructure challenges and build a telecom sector that supports its ambitions as a digital leader in Africa.
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Source: TechCabal
[](https://techcabal.com/2025/08/23/mtn-records-over-5400-fibre-cuts-in-seven-months/)