A major disruption to telecommunication services may soon hit parts of Nigeria as a diesel supply dispute escalates between telecom infrastructure company, IHS Towers, and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, NOGASA.
The disagreement, which stems from allegations of diesel misappropriation against two NOGASA member companies, has led to blocked access to diesel depots in Lagos, Kaduna and Delta States.
This, according to the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, could force the shutdown of over 16,000 base stations serving millions of mobile phone and internet users.
ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, warned that such an outage would disrupt banking transactions, hospital communications, emergency response services, and national security operations.
He appealed to all parties to embrace dialogue, reminding them that telecom facilities are classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure under Nigerian law.
But NOGASA insists the real issue is unpaid debts for diesel already supplied, accusing IHS of habitual default and rejecting claims of sabotage.
The union says it will resume supply only after outstanding payments are made.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, NATCOMS, has urged the Minister of Communications, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to involve President Bola Tinubu in resolving the matter to prevent a nationwide telecom blackout.
Adding to industry worries, the Nigerian Communications Commission has revealed that telecom infrastructure faces relentless attacks, with over 1,100 fibre optic cuts, 545 site access denials, and nearly 100 theft cases recorded weekly.
Stakeholders warn that without urgent government intervention, the dispute and ongoing infrastructure vandalism could cripple Nigeria’s digital backbone and have far-reaching effects on the economy.