Nigeria Sees 900% Surge in Fibre Cuts in January 2026

In January 2026, Nigeria experienced a dramatic 900% increase in fibre cuts, with 40 incidents reported compared to just 4 in December 2025, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This surge occurred despite the federal government's 2024 policy aimed at protecting critical telecommunications infrastructure.

The NCC's report highlighted that the increase in fibre cuts has adversely affected operations of major telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, and 9mobile, leading to an estimated loss of N5 billion in 2024 due to infrastructure damage, particularly in Lagos State. The chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Engr.

Gbenga Adebayo, noted that the current lack of effective prosecution has fostered a culture of impunity regarding damage to public infrastructure. The government has previously declared measures to protect telecommunications infrastructure, with the latest being signed by President Bola Tinubu in August 2024, making it a criminal offense to willfully destroy such infrastructure.