Thousands of telecom towers across Nigeria may soon shut down due to a diesel supply crisis caused by a blockade at major fuel depots. The standoff, involving petroleum workers and telecom infrastructure provider IHS Towers, has disrupted diesel distribution to over 16,000 telecom sites, telecom operators warned on Thursday.
Members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) reportedly blocked access to diesel depots in Lagos, Kaduna, and Koko (Delta State) since Tuesday. The action is in response to accusations by IHS that two companies linked to NOGASA were allegedly involved in diesel theft. Although the case is under investigation, the unions have cut off diesel supply to telecom towers, many of which depend heavily on the fuel due to unreliable power from the national grid.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr Gbenga Adebayo, described the situation as alarming, citing its potential impact on public safety and national infrastructure. He called on the unions to end the blockade and resolve their grievances through lawful means.
“While ALTON does not interfere in disputes between its members and third parties, we are gravely concerned about the wider implications of this action on national infrastructure and public safety,” Adebayo said in a statement.
The ongoing disruption poses a significant threat to mobile operators such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, whose networks could suffer outages if the diesel shortage continues. Analysts warn that such outages could harm businesses, banks, hospitals, and emergency services, all of which depend on uninterrupted telecom access.
Telecom infrastructure in Nigeria is officially recognised as Critical National Information Infrastructure under existing laws. ALTON has warned that deliberate interference with such assets could result in serious legal consequences.
Aside from power supply issues, the telecom sector in Nigeria is already grappling with rising energy costs. Industry data shows telecom companies consume over 40 million litres of diesel monthly, costing the sector more than $350 million every year. This cost is even higher in rural and remote areas, where power needs for tower operations are 37 per cent higher than in urban areas due to lack of grid access.
The situation has also exposed the vulnerability of Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure to fuel-related risks, including theft and vandalism. It highlights the urgent need for more sustainable and secure energy solutions for the industry.
ALTON appealed to the leadership of NUPENG and NOGASA to urgently intervene and stop their members from further endangering essential national services. The group also urged federal authorities, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to step in and prevent an escalation.
“We extend our deep respect to NUPENG and NOGASA for their contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector and trust they will act responsibly to avoid further damage to critical national infrastructure,” Adebayo added.
In response to rising costs and the push for cleaner energy, major telcos such as MTN and Airtel have begun investing in hybrid power solutions using solar energy and lithium-ion batteries. According to the NCC and the GSM Association (GSMA), shifting to renewable energy could cut operating costs by 30 to 50 per cent, while also reducing carbon emissions and enhancing service reliability.
IHS Towers, at the centre of the dispute, has yet to respond to media inquiries regarding the accusations of diesel theft or the ongoing supply blockade.
As tensions remain unresolved, the risk of service disruptions looms large for Nigeria’s telecom users, particularly in underserved areas where alternatives to mobile connectivity are limited.
