MTN Nigeria has reported a staggering 9,218 incidents of fibre-optic cable cuts throughout 2025, leading to extensive network disruptions across the country and impacting millions of customers who rely on telecommunications for communication, business, and digital transactions.
In a statement released last Friday, MTN highlighted that the issue was aggravated by theft and vandalism occurring at 211 network sites as of November 30, 2025, further compromising service quality and availability across various regions.
The ongoing disruptions have led to an increase in customer grievances, with 1,624,263 complaints logged and addressed through the company’s service channels over the year.
Despite these operational challenges, MTN continued to expand its customer base, achieving 85 million subscribers by September 2025, reinforcing its status as Nigeria’s leading telecommunications provider.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, responded to these developments by emphasising the company’s accountability for network performance and customer satisfaction. In a LinkedIn post, Toriola acknowledged the progress made but recognised that substantial challenges remain.
“There is progress to be proud of, and we clearly still have work to do,” he stated. “We are not where we want to be yet, but our commitment to putting the customer at the centre of everything we do remains constant.”
As MTN approaches its 25th anniversary in 2026, Toriola noted that the company is dedicated to listening to customer feedback, promptly addressing service interruptions, and enhancing the reliability of its network and service delivery.
Telecommunications experts say MTN’s figures reveal a broader, systemic issue within Nigeria’s telecommunications framework rather than just an operational hiccup. Analysts observe that roadworks, rapid urban growth, poor coordination between agencies, and deliberate acts of vandalism often cause fibre cuts.
A telecom infrastructure expert remarked that the situation serves as “a red flag for Nigeria’s digital economy,” highlighting that over 9,000 fibre cuts in just one year significantly raise operational costs for service providers and undermine service quality for consumers.
The experts further point out that this trend exposes critical shortcomings in infrastructure protection and management of right-of-way. They argue that weak enforcement of existing regulations and inadequate coordination among government agencies, construction companies, and utility providers leave fibre networks especially susceptible to damage.
An additional industry analyst warned that ongoing fibre cuts could undermine investor confidence in Nigeria’s telecom sector and hinder progress in vital areas, including digital inclusion, fintech development, e-government services, and the broader digital economy.
While acknowledging the importance of initiatives to address these issues, experts caution that their success depends on stricter enforcement, enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, increased public awareness, and the formal recognition of telecom infrastructure as critical national assets.
They stress that unless vandalism and accidental damage to fibre networks are significantly reduced, network disruptions will continue, adversely affecting not only telecom services but also digital banking, online education, healthcare services, and small businesses that depend on stable internet connectivity.
