Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is stepping up efforts to tackle the growing problem of fibre optic cable damage, as government agencies and network operators seek closer collaboration to protect broadband infrastructure and accelerate internet expansion across the country.
The renewed push followed discussions at the Critical Conversation Forum on Fibre to the Home (FTTH) 2026, organised by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Lagos, where industry leaders warned that recurring fibre cuts continue to inflate operating costs and delay broadband deployment.
During a technical session focused on infrastructure resilience, stakeholders cited an estimated 27,000 fibre-optic cable cuts recorded nationwide, describing the figure as evidence that Nigeria still faces significant challenges in safeguarding critical telecommunications infrastructure.
Participants noted that while the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) framework provides a policy foundation for protecting telecom assets, implementation remains inconsistent, leaving operators vulnerable to avoidable disruptions.
Speaking at the forum, the Managing Director of the Edo State Information and Communications Technology Agency, Eghosa Urhoghide, stressed that stronger collaboration between telecom operators, government agencies and host communities remains the most effective way to reduce fibre damage.
According to him, many cable cuts occur because agencies responsible for road construction and maintenance often operate without adequate coordination with network providers.
“Collaboration among stakeholders, communities and government institutions is essential,” Urhoghide said. “Ministries of Works, road maintenance agencies and ICT regulators need continuous engagement throughout infrastructure projects.”
He explained that Edo State has introduced communication channels that notify telecom operators before road rehabilitation projects begin, allowing fibre owners to identify vulnerable routes and prevent accidental cable damage.
Urhoghide also argued that poor installation practices have contributed significantly to the problem, noting that some fibre cables are buried below recommended standards, making them highly susceptible to damage during routine excavation and construction activities.
“If infrastructure investments are going to deliver long-term value, they must be deployed correctly from the outset,” he said, adding that regulatory efforts should prioritise compliance with technical standards rather than relying solely on punitive enforcement.
Echoing similar concerns, Huawei’s Director of Strategy, Eric Chan, said the majority of network failures originate from weaknesses in passive infrastructure rather than active network equipment.
He identified shallow cable installations, inadequate right of way protection and poor construction supervision as some of the leading causes of repeated fibre failures.
“Most of the problems affecting passive infrastructure are construction-related,” Chan said. “Installation depth matters, and deployment quality must be backed by stronger supervision and quality assurance.”
He added that improperly protected fibre routes remain exposed to both accidental damage and acts of vandalism.
The discussion also highlighted infrastructure sharing as a practical solution for improving network resilience while lowering deployment costs.
Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centres, Dr Ayotunde Coker, urged telecom companies to embrace open-access infrastructure models instead of duplicating physical assets.
Drawing parallels with data centre operations, Coker argued that operators gain greater competitive advantage by differentiating through services rather than owning separate infrastructure.
“When infrastructure is shared effectively, companies compete on service quality instead of physical assets,” he said.
“The real value lies in the digital services built on top of that shared infrastructure.”
According to him, wider adoption of shared fibre networks, supported by stronger interconnection and peering arrangements, would enable operators to expand coverage more efficiently while reducing capital expenditure.
Throughout the forum, government representatives acknowledged that weak coordination between public institutions and private operators continues to hinder broadband development across the country.
Stakeholders noted that although the CNII framework classifies telecommunications infrastructure as critical national assets, inconsistent enforcement across different states has limited its effectiveness.
Industry leaders agreed that enforcing uniform deployment standards, streamlining right-of-way procedures and promoting infrastructure sharing would significantly reduce fibre damage, improve service reliability and lower the cost of expanding broadband networks.
The conversations come as demand for high-speed internet continues to surge, driven by cloud computing, digital financial services, remote work and increasing data consumption across Nigeria.
Participants warned that unless stronger coordination mechanisms are introduced, repeated fibre cuts will continue to increase maintenance costs, disrupt connectivity and slow the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The forum concluded with a call for a more coordinated national strategy involving regulators, state governments and private sector operators to better protect telecommunications infrastructure while supporting faster and more resilient broadband rollout across Nigeria.
