Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure is teetering on the brink of collapse due to a severe diesel supply crisis triggered by an ongoing strike by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers. The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has sounded an urgent alarm, warning that millions of mobile and internet users risk being disconnected.
ATCON President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, explained that the strike was a response to the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State. “This strike… has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.
The diesel supply disruption has had a severe impact on telecom base stations, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels. Emoekpere warned that without urgent intervention, the situation could escalate into a nationwide network blackout. Such a blackout would disrupt essential services, including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.
ATCON has urgently called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators. “This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere emphasized.
Additionally, the association has appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability. ATCON stressed that a prolonged fuel disruption would have far-reaching consequences for businesses and individuals who depend on stable communication networks for daily operations.
