Nigeria’s mobile network operators are facing billions of naira in losses due to escalating theft of critical telecom infrastructure. Regulatory data from the Nigerian Communications Commission reveals that over 650 power-related assets were stolen in 2025 alone.
These stolen items include generators, batteries, and other essential power equipment vital for base station operations. Unreliable public electricity supply in Nigeria makes these off-grid power systems crucial for maintaining network stability.
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) described the scale of theft as an existential threat to the sector, moving beyond mere operational disruption.
The stolen equipment is fundamental to base station functionality, especially in a country where consistent grid power is unavailable. Diesel generators, batteries, and hybrid systems are indispensable for ensuring network uptime.
ATCON President Tony Emoekpere stated that operators are primarily adopting defensive measures. These include enhanced physical security, deployment of advanced technology, and redesigning site power and security configurations.
Operators are increasing the presence of site security guards, collaborating with local vigilante groups, reinforcing base station enclosures, and utilizing remote monitoring systems for real-time tamper detection.
Furthermore, companies are shifting away from easily removable components like standalone batteries towards more integrated and hybrid power solutions. However, ATCON noted that even solar and hybrid infrastructure is now a target for thieves.
Industry stakeholders, including ATCON, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, are intensifying collaboration for better intelligence sharing and response coordination.
Despite these efforts, ATCON highlighted that the industry is diverting significant funds towards infrastructure protection instead of expansion, raising concerns about long-term viability.
“We are spending more to protect infrastructure than we should, and that is not sustainable,” Tony Emoekpere said.
The consequences of this theft are already evident across Nigeria's telecom network, with site shutdowns leading directly to service degradation.
“When you lose generators and batteries at that scale, what it means in practical terms is that sites go down,” Emoekpere explained. “And when sites go down, you immediately see increased call drops, poorer voice quality, and slower or completely unavailable data services.”
While operators can sometimes reroute traffic in urban areas, this often results in congestion and a reduced quality of service. In rural and remote regions, the loss of equipment can lead to complete service outages.
Subscribers are already experiencing the impact of these disruptions, often without understanding the root cause. ATCON warned that the financial toll amounts to billions of naira annually, with operators currently absorbing much of the cost.
“These losses run into billions of naira annually. While operators are absorbing a lot of it for now, it inevitably feeds into the overall cost structure of the industry,” Emoekpere stated.
Consumers are effectively paying twice: first through diminished service quality, and subsequently through potential price increases and reduced investment capacity within the sector.
ATCON pointed out that the legal and regulatory framework already designates telecommunication infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure. However, the association stressed that enforcement remains the critical missing element.
The group is advocating for telecom infrastructure theft to be treated as economic sabotage rather than minor crime. They also call for more coordinated protection efforts involving security agencies like the police and civil defence corps.
ATCON urged visible deterrence through arrests, prosecutions, and convictions. Additionally, they called for action against informal markets where stolen batteries, cables, and other telecom equipment are allegedly resold.
Without stronger enforcement, ATCON cautioned, the cycle of theft, disruption, and escalating costs will continue to undermine Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, particularly as demand for connectivity rapidly increases.
