{
  "id": 8982637,
  "title": "Fibre Cuts: Implications for Nigeria’s Digital Economy and National Security.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/fibre-cuts-implications-for-nigerias-digital-economy-and-national",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-21T18:25:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/09/21/fibre-cuts-implications-for-nigerias-digital-economy-and-national-security/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fibre-optic cable cuts have emerged as a significant challenge to Nigeria's digital economy and national security, despite massive investments by telecommunications companies. These cuts can lead to nationwide outages, disrupted transactions, and lost productivity. Between January and June 2026, there were 5,934 fibre cuts, averaging 33 incidents per day, and the cumulative figure stands at approximately 27,000 cuts. In May 2026 alone, 75% of major network disruptions were due to fibre cuts.\n\nInvestments in network expansion and modernization have been substantial, with MTN alone spending N1.62 trillion since 2025, and other operators collectively investing N0.49 trillion, bringing the total industry investment to N2.1 trillion. However, despite this investment, there remains no nationwide, government-backed framework for fibre protection and safety.\n\nThe problem stems from the lack of a nationally gazetted digital infrastructure corridor and the absence of a shared, geo-referenced map of where critical fibre lies. Shallow trenching, the absence of concrete ducts, and poor signage have compounded the issue. Additionally, the fragmented approval system leads to varying charges and processes for securing right-of-way permits, making it difficult for contractors to identify the fibre beneath the surface.\n\nDeliberate vandalism, cable theft, and community disputes further exacerbate the crisis. The impact on citizens is immediate, with internet blackouts, dropped calls, failed PoS transactions, stalled banking apps, disrupted enterprise services, and paralysed government platforms. Operators have attempted to address the issue by deploying rapid-response repair teams, investing in redundant routes, and promoting a \"Call Before You Dig\" awareness campaign. However, these efforts remain voluntary and fragmented, and the law on paper has not been effectively enforced.",
  "summary": "Despite massive investments by telecommunications operators in infrastructure, fibre-optic cable cuts remain the single biggest threat to quality of service in Nigeria today and a direct threat to the national economy and security. These cuts are a mix of wilful sabotage and unintentional disruption, but the effect is the same: nationwide outages, failed transactions, and […] The post Fibre Cuts:…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}