Telcos owe 25-year growth to workers’ sacrifice — ATCON

Nigeria's telecommunications industry has flourished in recent years due to the tireless efforts of the country's skilled workforce, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has revealed. In a report marking 25 years since the GSM-led transformation of its telecoms sector, ATCON President Tony Emoekpere lauded the dedication of technicians, engineers, and field professionals who have built and maintained the country's digital infrastructure.

Emoekpere noted that the industry's growth was not solely measured by infrastructure milestones like fibre routes and base stations but primarily by the people who built and maintained them. Since the liberalization of Nigeria's telecoms sector in 2001, the industry has attracted over $75 billion in investment and transformed from a largely fixed-line system into a nationwide digital infrastructure supporting mobile communications, broadband, data services, and an expanding digital economy.

Despite the significant contributions of field personnel, Emoekpere highlighted that they often face security and operational risks while working in challenging conditions. As Nigeria enters the next phase of telecoms development, the president stressed the critical role of the workforce in keeping the nation connected. He called for continued recognition of the technicians, engineers, and professionals who remain essential to Nigeria's digital transformation.