NCC decries over 5,000 fibre cuts in six months, urges protection during road construction

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed concern over more than 5,000 fibre-optic cable cuts across Nigeria in the first six months of 2026, primarily due to road construction, excavation, and other civil works. Dr Aminu Maida, the NCC's Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, called for stronger coordination and preventive measures during construction and rehabilitation projects.

He emphasized that Nigeria's infrastructure development should not compromise its digital infrastructure, which connects citizens to essential services, markets, and opportunities. Maida described telecommunications infrastructure as a critical national lifeline, crucial for banking, government services, education, healthcare, commerce, security, and emergency communications.

He warned that damage to fibre-optic cables can disrupt these services, causing significant costs for citizens, businesses, and the economy. Maida highlighted a case where fibre cuts in February 2024 led to a near-network-wide disruption for a telecommunications operator, affecting millions of users for several hours. He stressed the need for early coordination among road contractors, telecommunications operators, government agencies, and other stakeholders to prevent such incidents.

The NCC has established a Standing Committee on the Protection of Fibre Optic Cables, recently expanded to include representatives of the National Security Adviser, to develop coordination mechanisms. The committee's efforts aim to create practical measures for protecting fibre-optic cables during road construction and excavation activities, ensuring both infrastructure development and protection.