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Telecoms operators to begin service shedding without tariff review – ALTON
In a statement in Lagos, the Chairman of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, said the Nigerian telecommunications industry was facing a critical challenge that required urgent attention.
He said that operators were struggling to survive due to rising operational costs and stagnant tariffs.
Adebayo said: “As we reflect on the end of year 2024, there is a need to issue an urgent and critical call to action for the future of our telecommunications industry.
“The survival of the sector demands immediate and bold reform for its sustainability.
“Tariffs must be reviewed to reflect the economic realities of delivering telecoms services at a minimum for industry sustainability,” he said.
The ALTON boss warned that without this review, operators could not continue to guarantee service availability, adding that the sector might face grim consequences.
He noted some consequences to include, service shedding, economic fallout, and national economic disruption.
Adebayo explained that service shedding would mean that operators may not be able to provide services in some areas and at some times of the day, leaving millions of Nigerians disconnected.
“This will have significant economic fallouts, as businesses will suffer from a lack of connectivity, stalling growth and innovation,” he said.
Adebayo also warned of national economic disruption, noting that key sectors like security, commerce, healthcare, and education, which rely heavily on telecoms infrastructure, would face serious disruptions.
Adebayo stressed that the challenges facing the industry are not new, adding that, however, they had become more acute and more threatening with the passing year.
He cited rising operational costs, skyrocketing energy costs, the relentless pressure of inflation, and volatile exchange rates.
The ALTON boss expressed confidence that stakeholders would come together to uphold the values and importance of telecommunications in the society, adding that more needed to be done to secure the future of the industry.
Adebayo called on stakeholders to acknowledge the urgency of the situation and commit to saving the sector, warning that failure to act may jeopardise one of the most critical pillars of Nigeria’s development.
He stated that ALTON stood ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure the sector’s survival and prosperity.
“Let this be the moment when we come together, acknowledge the urgency of the situation, and commit to saving this sector.
“If we fail to act, history will record that we had countless warnings, yet we allowed inaction to jeopardise one of the most critical pillars of Nigeria’s development.
“If we succeed, 2025 can be the year we turn things around, a year of hope, resilience, and sustainability for the telecoms industry,” Adebayo said. (NAN)
Umar Faruk Idris has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, and all security operatives to take swift and decisive action over the growing threat posed by a terror group known as “Mahamuda.”
In a letter addressed to President Tinubu, Idris urged immediate intervention from the Kwara State Police Command and all military formations within and around Kwara State, stressing that the situation has escalated beyond criminality.
“The Mahamuda terrorists are not just criminals—they have become a parallel government,” he warned.
“They mediate disputes, impose religious laws, and dictate how locals live their daily lives. This is more than banditry—it is occupation.”
According to Idris, the Mahamuda group has seized control of the Borgu region, operating with impunity through acts of banditry, kidnapping, theft, and murder.
He alleged that the group has entrenched itself within the Borgu Game Reserve, a once-protected expanse of forestland stretching across Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi States, as well as into the Republic of Benin.
Idris lamented that the ecological and cultural heritage of Borgu is now under siege, with the terrorists exploiting the area’s natural resources for profit.
“The Borgu Game Reserve and Kainji Lake National Park, once symbols of national pride and ecological preservation, have become the stronghold of terror,” he said.
The letter further alleged that the group now permits commercial logging and charcoal trading within the forest, resulting in rampant deforestation and severe environmental degradation.
“Trees are being felled indiscriminately. The ecosystem is under severe threat,” he added.
Forest guards, who once maintained order under the Conservation General of Nigeria, are said to be either overwhelmed or entirely absent, leaving the area vulnerable.
“This terror group now taxes every forest resource—animals, trees, land. They measure land in hectares and collect fees from desperate farmers, permitting illegal farming within the reserve,” Idris stated.
He expressed deep concern for the Kainji Dam, a critical source of hydroelectric power for the country, and the broader implications of losing a vital ecological zone that also holds value for tourism and climate preservation.
“The destruction is not only physical but environmental and institutional,” he warned.
Idris criticised what he described as the prior downplaying or denial of the threat, stating that “there is now overwhelming evidence.”
He called on the Kwara Police Command to “acknowledge the reality,” urging collaboration with the local population and open communication with the Federal Government.
“We call on the full strength of Nigeria’s security architecture to intervene before the situation deteriorates further,” the letter said .
The federal government says it is targeting an additional 4,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid by the end of 2026 under a revised implementation plan for the presidential power initiative (PPI).
Bolaji Tunji, special adviser on strategic communications and media relations to Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, announced the target in a statement on Sunday.
Nigeria’s current grid capacity is 4,919mw.
According to the statement, the administration of President Bola Tinubu has revitalised the PPI following the execution of an acceleration agreement with Siemens Energy to fast-track its implementation and improve power supply.
The new structure, Tunji said, allows Siemens to focus solely on modernising the transmission subsector using a turnkey model, while other credible engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms with proven capacity will be responsible for the distribution component.
“While acknowledging efforts of past administrations on the PPI, the Minister said some of the key milestones under the present administration apart from the execution of an Acceleration Agreement with Siemens Energy to fast-track the implementation of the PPI, include the approval of a new technical direction for the PPI, ensuring Siemens Energy focuses solely on upgrading and modernizing the transmission subsector through a Turnkey approach,” the statement reads.
“The president also approved that the distribution scope be delivered by other reputable Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Companies with the requisite technical, financial, and financing capacity.
“The strategic decisions aim to increase grid capacity by an additional 4,000MW by the end of 2026, with an aspirational target of an additional 2,000MW, as directed by the economic management team in 2024.”
Tunji said that while the PPI was conceived in 2018 under a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Germany, the project has witnessed significant progress since the Tinubu administration took office on May 29, 2023.
“There is no way the minister’s statement that no significant progress on the project was made until the present administration was inaugurated, can be faulted when the major milestones between 2023 till date are considered,” he said.
“This administration, under the leadership of President Tinubu, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the PPI, recognising its critical importance to opening up the economy and galvanising national development.
“To ensure the expeditious delivery of improved power supply to industrial clusters, households, and businesses, President Tinubu mandated the signing of an Acceleration Agreement.
“This commitment has translated into tangible results. Under the present administration , leadership, strengthened programme governance has expedited contract and financing approvals, leading to faster project implementation.”
He noted that the PPI pilot phase under the current administration delivered 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations, manufactured and delivered in October 2023.
The spokesperson said the several transmission projects executed by FGN Power Company have also added over 700MW in wheeling capacity for industries, universities, and homes.
Tunji said electricity generation in Nigeria peaked at 6,003MW on March 4, 2025, the highest ever, with a new record of 128,370.75MWh in daily energy delivery, and generation evacuation reached 5,801.44MW on the same day.
On grid infrastructure, he said over 70 transformers were added between 2024 and 2025 through TCN’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and support from the World Bank and African Development Bank, adding over 12,000 megavolt-amperes (MVA) to grid capacity.
“However, the minister is the first to acknowledge challenges in the sector. Such challenges include the N4 trillion in outstanding subsidies and unsustainable tariff regimes, rampant vandalism, electricity theft, and chronic bill non-payment, poor investment by some operators, especially in the distribution infrastructure and resistance to the sector commercialisation by the electricity consumers, which is impacting on the sector’s liquidity,” he added.
Tunji said that despite the challenges, the ministry has achieved significant progress in reforming the sector, expanding access, and upgrading infrastructure.
The spokesperson added that a solid foundation has been established for long-term transformation, driven by a commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and results-focused development of the power sector.
The Kwara State Government has come under scrutiny for failing to act on a 2020 security report warning of the rise of a new terrorist group, dubbed the “Mahamuda Terrorists,” in Baruten Local Government Area (LGA), according to documents obtained by Elanza News.
The report, submitted to the governor and top officials, highlighted the potential for escalating insecurity if the situation was left unchecked, a prophecy that has now materialised into a full-blown terror operation.
The Baruten Patriotic Agenda (BPA), which authored the report, expressed dismay at the government’s inaction, describing the situation as “deeply disheartening.”
The BPA’s prescience in forecasting the grave consequences of neglect has only amplified the tragedy, with the region now grappling with a surge in armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, youth restiveness, and trans-border crimes.
Baruten LGA, located in Kwara North Senatorial District, is the largest local government by landmass in Kwara State, covering 9,749 km². Bordered by the Republic of Benin, Niger State, Kaiama LGA, and Oyo State, it is predominantly inhabited by the Batombu ethnic group and is an agrarian society heavily reliant on grain farming.
However, the rising tide of insecurity has stifled socio-economic progress and violated residents’ fundamental rights to safety.
The 2020 report proposed a comprehensive security framework to address the multifaceted challenges in Baruten, including farmers/herders clashes, communal disharmony, and drug abuse.
Among its recommendations were the establishment of a Peace and Security Committee by the Local Government Council, comprising traditional leaders and stakeholders, to strategise on conflict resolution.
It also urged the state government to expedite judicial processes on chieftaincy disputes to prevent further unrest and to deploy a delegation to pacify warring factions.
Drug abuse was identified as a potent social vice, with the Wadatta Mining site near Biogberu and several locations in Gwanara Township serving as epicentres for the sale of illicit substances like tramadol, marijuana, and “Skake-and-die.”
A recent tragedy in Dameru, Bwen/Kiyoru Ward, saw 26-year-old Abdulrazak slump and die after overdosing on marijuana and other drugs. The report named notorious dealers, including Idris Bagi Abdulrazak (aka Patrick) in Gwanara and Sabi Togo in Yakira, the latter suspected of orchestrating a N1 million theft.
The BPA further highlighted rising incidents of rape, with a recent case in Gwanara involving the daughter of a local vigilante, Ayinde, underscoring the growing threat to vulnerable groups.
To curb the menace, the report recommended that the state government direct local councils to form an anti-drugs task force and establish rehabilitation centres for repentant drug abusers.
Religious disharmony, though rare, was also flagged as a potential flashpoint, particularly due to the use of loudspeakers during worship, which has caused friction among residents near religious centres.
The BPA stressed that the proposed security framework, if implemented holistically, could significantly reduce crime in Baruten.
However, the state government’s failure to act on these recommendations has allowed criminality to fester, leaving residents on edge and the region’s socio-economic fabric in tatters.
Meanwhile ,efforts to reach the Kwara State Government for comments on the matter were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.