A diesel supply dispute between telecom infrastructure firm IHS Towers and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) has sparked fears of a shutdown of over 16,000 telecom base stations across Lagos, Kaduna, and Delta States.
The conflict began after IHS accused two NOGASA member companies of misappropriating its diesel stock — an allegation NOGASA denies, insisting that IHS is deflecting from alleged contract breaches and unpaid supplies.
The standoff has intensified after NUPENG and NOGASA reportedly blocked access to diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko (Delta State), halting supply to thousands of IHS-operated sites.
Telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile, under the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), warned that the disruption could cut services to millions of subscribers and cripple banking, hospital, and emergency communication systems. ALTON described the blockade as “a threat to national security” and urged immediate dialogue.
ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, stressed that telecom infrastructure is classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) under Nigerian law, warning that deliberate disruptions could attract “strict legal consequences.”
NOGASA and NUPENG have rejected accusations of sabotage, insisting that all diesel supplied must be paid for.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also raised concern, revealing the industry already faces an average of 1,100 weekly fibre optic cuts, 545 site access denials, and nearly 100 theft incidents.
The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMs) has called on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to escalate the matter to President Bola Tinubu to avert a nationwide telecom blackout.