MTN’s 5,478 Fibre Cuts in 2025 Signal Urgent Need for Nigeria’s CNI Enforcement
The consistent disruption of telecommunications services due to damage to fibre optic cables has become a pressing concern for Nigeria. MTN Nigeria, a leading telecom provider, reported a staggering 760 fibre cuts across the country in July 2025 alone. This surge brought the total number of incidents for the year to over 5,478, significantly impacting service quality nationwide. This data highlights a critical need for the effective enforcement of critical national infrastructure (CNI) protection in Nigeria.
Vandalism, Construction, and the Threat to Nigeria’s Telecoms
The significant increase in fibre cuts underscores the vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure. By the end of June 2025, MTN had already suffered 4,700 cuts, bringing the total to approximately 13,700 incidents within the past 18 months. Further analysis of these incidents reveals that the majority of these issues are concentrated in specific regions. Data from MTN show that the highest incidents took place in northern Nigeria, with about 2,500 cuts. The southwest had about 2,800 cuts. Southern Nigeria saw the highest impact, with approximately 3,500 recorded incidents across the south-east and south-south regions. According to MTN’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Yahaya Ibrahim, sabotage (vandalism) and road construction are the primary causes, accounting for roughly 69% of the total fibre cuts. Specific states, notably those in the South-East and South-South, have been identified as hotspots for fibre and network site vandalism. Akwa Ibom, Abia, and Rivers states are the most affected. In particular, locations like Omoku continue to experience recurring challenges.
These statistics paint a worrying picture. If unaddressed, these disruptions can severely hinder economic development, digital inclusion, and the overall growth of Nigeria’s burgeoning tech sector.
Keywords
Related Keywords: MTN fibre cuts Nigeria, fibre optic cable damage, critical national infrastructure Nigeria, CNI enforcement Nigeria, telecom infrastructure security, fibre cut statistics, 2025 fibre cuts, MTN network outages, Nigeria telecom regulations, network vulnerability Nigeria
