Fibre cuts disrupt MTN, 9mobile services in 3 Northern States

Mobile network users in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states are experiencing major service outages following simultaneous fibre cuts affecting MTN and 9mobile.

According to a status report from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the disruptions began at about 7:09 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, and are ongoing.

Affected residents have been unable to make calls, send messages, or access internet services.

The blackout spans several communities, including Aliero, Anka, Arewa Dandi, Argungu, Augie, Bagudo, Bakura, Binji, Birnin Kebbi, Bodinga, Dange Shuni, Fakai, and Gada. Others include Goronyo, Gummi, Kebbe, Maiyama, Maru, Rabah, Sakaba, Shagari, Silame, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Talata-Mafara, Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta, Wamako, Wurno, and Yabo.

Telecom operators have long raised concerns over recurring fibre cuts, which have become a major threat to network stability across the country.

These cuts, often caused by construction activities, vandalism, and poor coordination among stakeholders, reportedly cost operators billions of naira annually in repairs.

Femi Adeniran, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, recently highlighted the severity of the issue, revealing that some operators experience up to 43 fibre cuts daily.

He noted that Airtel Nigeria alone recorded over 7,700 incidents in the past six months.

“These disruptions go beyond inconvenience—they impact businesses, delay public services, and pose risks during emergencies,” Adeniran said.

To combat the crisis, the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) established a Joint Standing Committee in February 2025.

Inaugurated by the Permanent Secretaries of both ministries, the committee was tasked with protecting fibre optic infrastructure, particularly during road construction and maintenance projects.

The committee’s mandate includes developing coordinated strategies to prevent damage, facilitating real-time communication among stakeholders, and producing monthly performance reports.

Despite these efforts, daily fibre cuts persist, with the impact of the committee’s work yet to be significantly felt.

As residents in the affected northern states remain offline, calls are growing louder for more decisive action to safeguard critical telecom infrastructure and prevent further disruption to essential communication services.