The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has warned that the country could face a major communication blackout. This is because a diesel supply blockade is putting the operations of 16,000 telecom sites at risk.
In a press statement released on Friday, August 8, 2025, ALTON’s Chairman, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, said that members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) have blocked access to diesel loading stations in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko in Delta State. This has stopped diesel deliveries to thousands of sites operated by IHS Towers, one of ALTON’s key members.
The problem started when IHS Towers accused two companies linked to NOGASA of stealing diesel. ALTON said it is not taking sides in the issue, but it is very worried about the serious impact this could have on the country’s infrastructure and public safety.
The affected telecom sites are crucial for providing phone and internet services to over 140 million Nigerians. They also support important services like banking, hospital communication, emergency response, and national security. ALTON warned that if the diesel supply issue continues, it could cause serious disruptions to these services.
ALTON has asked the leaders of NUPENG and NOGASA to step in quickly and reopen access to the diesel supply stations. It urged all sides to resolve the issue peacefully through talks and legal channels, instead of taking actions that could harm the entire telecom industry.
ALTON also reminded everyone that telecom infrastructure is officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) by the government. Damaging or blocking access to this infrastructure is seen as a serious threat to national security and economic stability, and it is punishable by law.
To stop a possible crisis, ALTON is urgently asking government agencies — including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) — to take action and help avoid a nationwide communications blackout.
