NCC Reports 5,000 Fibre Cuts Due to Road Projects

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced that over 5,000 fibre-optic cable cuts occurred across Nigeria in the first half of 2026, primarily due to road construction, excavation, and civil works. Dr.

Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, stated that inadequate coordination among construction firms, government bodies, and telecommunications providers was a significant factor in these incidents. He warned that ongoing damage to fibre infrastructure could threaten the nation’s digital economy.

During a Stakeholder Workshop in Abuja, Maida called for a shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in planning and information exchange regarding fibre cuts. He noted that fibre infrastructure is vital for various sectors, including banking and healthcare, and that damage to it could have far-reaching economic consequences.

The Federal Government has initiated measures through the Standing Committee on the Protection of Fibre Optic Cables to improve coordination before, during, and after construction projects.