Nigerian Telcos Challenge Senate on E-Transmission Claims

Telecom operators in Nigeria, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, and Globacom, have dismissed claims made by the Senate regarding the lack of adequate telecommunications infrastructure to support real-time electronic transmission of election results. Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), stated that the Senate's assertions are based on half-truths and urged lawmakers to obtain accurate data from the industry regulators instead of relying on outdated and misleading reports.

Adebayo emphasized that the telecommunications infrastructure coverage does not stem from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and that the Senate's cited gaps in communication and power infrastructure do not reflect the current realities of Nigeria's telecom landscape. This position aligns with that of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which in 2022 dismissed concerns about network challenges affecting result uploads.

The ongoing debate over Clause 60 (3) of the proposed Electoral Act amendment has sparked protests and lobbying regarding the mandatory nature of electronic transmission of results ahead of the 2027 general elections.