The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said Nigeria’s ambition to lead Africa’s digital economy will remain unattainable unless telecommunications infrastructure is adequately protected and sustained.
ALTON Chairman, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, made the statement on Thursday at the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Innovation and Scientific Conference in Lagos.
He noted that telecommunications has become the foundation for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital finance, education and national security.
Adebayo said the country’s digital transformation has made telecom infrastructure as critical as roads, power and other strategic national assets.
He warned that every attack on telecom facilities disrupts businesses, financial transactions, emergency communications and public services relied upon by millions of Nigerians.
“The future of Nigeria’s economy depends on technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite broadband, the Internet of Things and 5G. None of these can succeed without resilient telecommunications infrastructure,” he said.
The ALTON chairman said the industry had grown from fewer than 500,000 telephone lines before GSM to more than 200 million active subscriptions, transforming virtually every aspect of national life.
He recalled spending hours at international telephone centres before mobile telephony, saying today’s seamless communication demonstrates how indispensable telecommunications has become.
Adebayo said Nigerians can now conduct banking, healthcare, education, commerce and government transactions from their mobile devices because of sustained investments in telecommunications.
He, however, noted that rising energy costs, infrastructure vandalism, multiple taxation and Right of Way challenges continue to threaten network expansion and service quality.
He commended the Federal Government for designating telecommunications facilities as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), describing the policy as a major step toward protecting strategic digital assets.
Adebayo also praised the Nigerian Communications Commission for maintaining regulatory policies that balance consumer protection with investment sustainability.
He said collaboration among government, regulators, security agencies, host communities and consumers remains essential to safeguarding telecom assets across the country.
The ALTON chairman said attacks on telecom infrastructure delay repairs, increase operating costs and slow network expansion, ultimately affecting consumers.
He noted that replacing damaged facilities often requires significant investment and lengthy approval processes, making prevention more effective than restoration.
Adebayo stressed that improved quality of service would require coordinated action by all stakeholders, noting that operators alone cannot overcome challenges created outside their networks.
He also dismissed reports of an ongoing review of telecommunications tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission, saying no such process was underway.
Adebayo reaffirmed operators’ commitment to expanding broadband access, improving network quality and supporting Nigeria’s digital economy through sustained investment.
He expressed confidence that with stronger infrastructure protection and enabling policies, Nigeria can position itself among Africa’s leading digital economies.
