Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have deployed 8,526 of the 12,179 network coverage and capacity sites they committed to roll out across the country, taking implementation to about 70 per cent.
However, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that persistent damage to fibre infrastructure could undermine the gains being recorded in network expansion and worsen service disruptions for millions of subscribers.
The regulator disclosed the latest deployment figures following its 110th board meeting held on September 9.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, the commission said the number represented a significant improvement over the approximately 5,000 sites reported at the previous board meeting.
“The board further noted that 8,526 out of the 12,179 committed coverage and capacity sites have now been deployed across the country, representing approximately 70 per cent of the communicated commitments.
“This reflects accelerated progress from the approximately 5,000 sites reported at the last meeting”, the commission said.
The development indicates that operators have deployed roughly 3,500 additional sites since the previous assessment, representing a substantial acceleration in the industry’s efforts to improve network reach and capacity.
Fibre Cuts Threaten Expansion Gains
Despite the progress, the NCC said the growing incidence of fibre cuts remained a major threat to the reliability of telecommunications services.
According to the commission, damage to fibre infrastructure contributed significantly to the sharp increase in network disruptions recorded in June.
“Despite this progress, the board noted that fibre cuts contributed to a sharp rise in network disruptions in June, underscoring the need for infrastructure expansion to be matched by stronger protection of critical communications infrastructure,” it stated.
Fibre-optic infrastructure forms a critical part of modern telecommunications networks, carrying large volumes of voice and data traffic across locations. Damage to major fibre routes can therefore affect connectivity over wide areas and disrupt services for both individual subscribers and businesses.
The NCC has previously raised concerns about the frequency of fibre cuts associated with road construction, excavation and other infrastructure activities.
More than 5,000 fibre cuts were recorded during the first half of 2026, according to earlier warnings by the regulator, highlighting the scale of the infrastructure protection challenge confronting the telecommunications sector.
Operators Step Up Network Investment
The latest deployment figures suggest that mobile network operators are significantly increasing investments aimed at addressing capacity constraints and expanding coverage.
At the previous NCC board meeting, operators had reported the deployment of more than 5,000 of the over 12,000 sites committed under the network expansion programme, representing slightly above 40 per cent implementation at the time.
The latest figure of 8,526 sites means that implementation has now risen to approximately 70 per cent.
The increased deployment is expected to improve network availability and capacity in areas where subscribers have experienced poor coverage or congestion.
However, the NCC's latest warning suggests that adding new sites alone will not be sufficient to guarantee consistent service if the infrastructure connecting those sites remains vulnerable to damage.
NCC Focuses on Resilience, Consumer Protection
Beyond network expansion, the board meeting considered a range of issues affecting Nigeria's digital economy and telecommunications sector.
The discussions covered network resilience, digital trust, inclusive connectivity, consumer protection, fair competition and the sustainable growth of the country's digital economy.
The emphasis on resilience reflects the growing importance of telecommunications infrastructure to economic and social activities, as individuals, businesses and public institutions increasingly depend on reliable voice and data connectivity.
For the NCC, the latest figures demonstrate that operators are making measurable progress in expanding telecommunications infrastructure. But the regulator's concerns over fibre cuts underline the need for stronger coordination and protection of critical infrastructure.
The commission's position is that network expansion must go hand in hand with measures to protect existing fibre routes and other essential infrastructure if consumers are to experience more stable and reliable telecommunications services.
With operators having now delivered about 70 per cent of their committed sites, attention is increasingly shifting from simply expanding network capacity to ensuring that the infrastructure supporting that capacity can withstand the disruptions caused by recurring fibre damage.