News Central Television interview with ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo.
Nigeria’s telecommunications challenges cannot be resolved by blaming network operators alone, as government, regulators, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders must share responsibility for improving service quality, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, has said.
Adebayo made the remarks during an interview on News Central Television on Thursday, where he called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address the structural and operational challenges affecting telecommunications services across the country.
He identified unreliable electricity supply, vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure and restrictions on operators’ access to network facilities as major factors contributing to poor service delivery.
According to him, telecommunications companies operate under difficult conditions and invest significant resources in keeping their networks functional despite persistent infrastructure challenges.
Adebayo’s comments come amid growing public complaints about poor network performance and concerns raised by the Senate over the quality of telecommunications services in Nigeria.
While acknowledging subscribers’ dissatisfaction, the ALTON chairman argued that operators should not bear sole responsibility for problems influenced by factors beyond their control.
He also addressed the disagreement between telecommunications operators and the Senate, including the legal action instituted by ALTON and its members at the Federal High Court.
He explained that the association’s decision to seek legal redress was aimed at protecting its members’ interests within the provisions of the law.
On the role of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Adebayo said the regulator must maintain a balance between protecting consumers, supporting operators and creating an environment that encourages investment.
“You cannot achieve sustainable improvements in network quality through command and control,” he said, advocating constructive engagement rather than directives and blame.
Electricity Costs, Infrastructure Vandalism Affect Network Quality
The ALTON chairman identified the high cost of powering telecommunications infrastructure as another major challenge facing operators.
He explained that unreliable electricity supply has forced companies to depend heavily on alternative energy sources, including diesel-powered generators and solar installations, increasing their operational expenses.
He also raised concerns over the theft and vandalism of telecommunications equipment, including diesel and solar installations at network sites.
According to him, these incidents increase the cost of maintaining network infrastructure and make it more difficult for operators to deliver reliable services.
ALTON Chairman Explains Data Consumption Concerns
Addressing complaints about rapid data depletion, Adebayo said subscribers’ data consumption depends on several factors, including the applications they use, device settings and the nature of their online activities.
He noted that the growing demand for data-intensive services and individual usage patterns should also be considered when evaluating complaints about data consumption.
The ALTON chairman further maintained that telecommunications operators have continued investing in network expansion and service improvements, particularly following the tariff adjustment approved in January 2025.
He said the adjustment was necessary to help operators manage rising operational costs and sustain investments in telecommunications infrastructure.
Nigeria Has About 50,000 Telecom Sites
Adebayo disclosed that Nigeria has approximately 50,000 telecommunications sites supporting network services across the country.
He stressed that expanding, powering and maintaining such infrastructure requires substantial capital and operational expenditure, particularly as more Nigerians depend on mobile networks for work, education, communication and entertainment.
On infrastructure sharing, he said collaboration among telecommunications operators and infrastructure companies remains essential to reducing duplication, managing costs and extending network coverage.
He referenced infrastructure providers, including IHS Towers, American Tower and Pan African Towers, as important players in the country’s telecommunications infrastructure ecosystem.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a regulatory framework that encourages competition while ensuring that operators can make the investments needed to deliver quality services.
Road Projects Require Better Coordination
Commenting on the impact of major road construction projects, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Adebayo called for better coordination between telecommunications operators and relevant government authorities.
He said effective collaboration was necessary to protect existing telecommunications infrastructure and prevent construction activities from disrupting network services.
The ALTON chairman maintained that improving telecommunications services in Nigeria requires a shared commitment from government agencies, regulators, network operators, infrastructure providers and subscribers.
He argued that rather than engaging in a blame game, stakeholders should focus on addressing the challenges confronting the industry and creating an enabling environment for sustained investment.
For millions of Nigerians who depend on mobile networks daily, he said, stronger collaboration remains essential to achieving more reliable telecommunications services.
Source: News Central Television interview with ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo.
