By Chioma Favour
ABUJA — The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger coordination among road construction companies, contractors, government agencies, engineers and telecommunications operators following more than 5,000 fibre-optic cable cuts recorded across Nigeria in the first six months of 2026.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the call on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at a stakeholders’ workshop on the protection of fibre-optic cables held at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Abuja.
According to Maida, most of the fibre-cut incidents were linked to road construction, excavation and other civil engineering activities, highlighting the need for better planning and communication before construction projects begin.
He warned that repeated damage to fibre infrastructure could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s economy and essential services, as telecommunications networks support critical sectors including banking, government services, education, healthcare, commerce, security and emergency communications.
“To a machine operator on a construction site, it may appear to be one buried cable. To the nation, it can mean failed calls, stalled payments, interrupted services and missed opportunities,” Maida said.
The NCC chief executive stressed that fibre damage should not be viewed as a dispute between road contractors and telecommunications operators, but as a coordination challenge requiring joint action by all relevant stakeholders.
He noted that Nigeria must develop both its physical and digital infrastructure, stressing that while roads connect communities, fibre networks connect the economy.
Maida disclosed that the Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy had established a Standing Committee on the Protection of Fibre Optic Cables.
The committee is expected to develop practical mechanisms for coordination before, during and after road construction projects to minimise damage to telecommunications infrastructure.
He further disclosed that representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser had recently joined the committee because of the growing security implications of damage to critical telecommunications infrastructure.
According to the NCC boss, telecommunications infrastructure has been designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure, making its protection a matter requiring stronger legal, regulatory and remedial measures.
Maida also recalled the widespread network disruption recorded in February 2024 after fibre cuts, including damage associated with road construction, affected one telecommunications operator and disrupted services for millions of subscribers for several hours.
He urged road contractors, telecommunications operators, regulators, government institutions and security agencies to make the protection of fibre-optic infrastructure an essential component of project planning and execution.
The Abuja workshop is expected to develop a framework for protecting fibre-optic infrastructure during road construction, excavation and related civil works, while reducing telecommunications disruptions and supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Media360Impact | Abuja
