MTN, Nigeria's largest telecom operator, reported more than 5,400 fibre optic cable cuts in the first seven months of 2025, warning that the ongoing damage is reducing service quality and hindering the country's digital transformation.
Lakinbofa Goodluck, the company's public relations manager, revealed the figure during the 10th New Media Conference in Lagos.
Goodluck attributed the disruptions primarily to road construction and vandalism, stating that July alone witnessed 760 occurrences.
“When the network goes bad, it’s often because someone has cut a cable,” Goodluck explained to an audience of media professionals, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
He emphasised that long-term solutions will include stricter legislation that criminalise vandalism, cross-sector collaboration, and increased community awareness.
Goodluck also urged the government representatives to increase assistance for the business.
”We make money when people browse and make calls,” he said. “But how do we earn more if users keep complaining about poor service?”
MTN, with over 80 million users, has spent extensively in network expansion, investing ₦1 trillion (about $600 million) to improve 4G and 5G coverage.
According to the operator, fibre cuts not only irritate customers but also impose high maintenance costs and stifle economic activity.
MTN is not alone in dealing with vandalism of telecom infrastructure. Other operators, such as Airtel Nigeria, Nigeria's second largest telecom operator, have similar problems.
Share
