Nigeria's telecommunications operators have invested billions of dollars over the past 25 years to expand connectivity and reduce the country's digital divide, according to the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).
Speaking at the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Innovative Conference 2026, ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo said the telecom industry has evolved into the backbone of Nigeria's digital economy, powering critical sectors including banking, healthcare, education, commerce, agriculture and public services.
Delivering a keynote address titled "A Chronicle of Telecom Operators' Efforts in Bridging Nigeria's Digital Divide Through Innovation: Achievements, Challenges and Future Prospects," Adebayo said the sector's transformation has been driven by sustained private sector investment despite mounting operational challenges.
According to Adebayo, Nigeria's telecom industry has recorded one of Africa's most significant digital transformation stories since the liberalisation of the GSM market in 2001.
He said the country has moved from fewer than 500,000 connected telephone lines before GSM licensing to more than 200 million active mobile subscriptions today.
"Nigeria's telecommunications sector represents one of Africa's most remarkable success stories in economic liberalisation and digital transformation," he said.
According to him, telecommunications infrastructure now underpins virtually every aspect of modern life, enabling digital payments, online education, telemedicine, e-government services, emergency response systems and digital entertainment.
"The industry's impact extends far beyond communications; it has become the backbone of national development," he added.
Billions invested in networks, fibre and 5G
Adebayo disclosed that operators have invested billions of dollars in mobile network expansion, fibre optic infrastructure, international connectivity, data centres, cloud platforms, renewable energy systems and emerging technologies such as 5G.
He said the investments have accelerated broadband penetration, expanded financial inclusion and created new opportunities for digital entrepreneurship across the country.
According to him, the industry's technological evolution has progressed from GSM voice services to GPRS, EDGE, 3G, 4G, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) and, more recently, 5G.
He added that operators have continued to extend network coverage to rural and underserved communities through infrastructure sharing, renewable energy deployment and partnerships with government.
Multiple taxes, rising costs threaten future investments
Despite the sector's achievements, Adebayo warned that several challenges continue to threaten investment in telecommunications infrastructure.
He identified multiple taxation, inconsistent Right of Way policies, vandalism of telecom infrastructure, rising energy costs, foreign exchange volatility, regulatory uncertainty and affordability concerns as key obstacles facing operators.
According to him, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, satellite broadband and 5G present significant opportunities to deepen digital inclusion, provided the right policy environment is sustained.
"Bridging Nigeria's digital divide is a shared national responsibility," he said, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and civil society.
Commends Tinubu, NCC
Adebayo commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for recognising digital infrastructure as a key driver of economic growth, saying government policies have strengthened investor confidence.
He also praised the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), led by Executive Vice Chairman Dr Aminu Maida, for adopting what he described as a transparent and consultative regulatory approach.
According to him, recent regulatory milestones include the resolution of the long running USSD debt dispute between banks and telecom operators, the review of retail tariff frameworks and the implementation of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) framework.
ALTON says network quality is a shared responsibility
On service quality, the ALTON Chairman argued that telecom operators should not bear sole responsibility for poor network performance.
He said unreliable electricity supply, fibre cuts caused by road construction, vandalism, insecurity, delays in obtaining Right of Way approvals and multiple taxation continue to affect network quality.
"Quality of Service cannot be improved through fines and penalties alone," he said, calling for a "whole of society" approach to protecting telecommunications infrastructure.
He urged Nigerians to report acts of vandalism against telecom facilities, saying safeguarding critical infrastructure is essential to improving service delivery.
No proposal to increase telecom tariffs
Addressing reports suggesting that the Nigerian Communications Commission's ongoing Mobile Termination Rate (MTR) cost study could lead to higher telecom tariffs, Adebayo dismissed the claims.
He clarified that the exercise is intended solely to determine wholesale interconnection costs and has no connection with retail tariff reviews.
"There is currently no industry proposal before the NCC seeking a review of retail tariffs arising from this exercise," he said.
According to him, operators remain focused on improving customer experience, expanding network coverage, strengthening network resilience and delivering better value to subscribers.
He reaffirmed that continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure would remain critical to Nigeria's economic growth, innovation, national security and digital inclusion.
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