{
  "id": 1380519,
  "title": "Telcos owe 25-year growth to workers’ sacrifice — ATCON",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/telcos-owe-25-year-growth-to-workers-sacrifice-atcon",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-17T00:26:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/telcos-owe-25-year-growth-to-workers-sacrifice-atcon/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nEmoekpere 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.\n\nDespite 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.",
  "summary": "ATCON acknowledges the immense sacrifice of telecoms workers in Nigeria, whose dedication over 25 years built the nation’s robust digital infrastructure. Read More: https://punchng.com/telcos-owe-25-year-growth-to-workers-sacrifice-atcon/",
  "key_points": [
    "Nigeria's telecom industry grew 25 years since GSM transformation",
    "ATCON President Tony Emoekpere praised workers' dedication",
    "Field professionals face risks while building digital infrastructure"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The telecoms industry's 25-year growth underscores the crucial role of skilled workers, whose dedication and sacrifice have enabled Nigeria's digital transformation, despite often facing security and operational risks.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Telcos owe 25-year growth to workers’ sacrifice — ATCON",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/telcos-owe-25-year-growth-to-workers-sacrifice-atcon-1381456",
        "published": "2026-08-17T00:34:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}