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In a landmark shift from high-level policy forums, the first Fiber Optic Engineers Meet-Up in Abuja brought together the frontline professionals. Those who build and maintain Nigeria’s critical digital infrastructure.
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Held at Notion Technology’s office, the gathering created a dedicated space for engineers to discuss deployment realities, and maintenance challenges. Top on the menu was also collaborative solutions for sustaining the country’s broadband networks.
A Pioneering Forum for Frontline Expertise
The event marked Nigeria’s first structured platform exclusively for fiber engineers from various companies to share experiences beyond informal emergency collaboration.
Participants highlighted its necessity in an industry where the technical workforce often operates in isolation despite facing common hurdles.
“If you don’t have passion for something, don’t participate in it,” said Engineer Omachonu Ogah, CTO of MadePro, emphasizing the dedication required in a field where failures demand intense, collaborative troubleshooting.
Technical Realities: From OTDR Testing to Splicing Under Pressure
Engineers delved into the core technical challenges, citing inadequate pre-deployment testing as a major source of preventable network failures. Engineer Eruayekomeme Mudiaga Anthony, Regional Manager at ZTE, stressed the importance of proper OTDR tests before fibers carry live traffic to avoid subsequent losses.
“The major challenge is when the link is down,” Ogah added, describing the pressure of restoring connectivity.
Engineers identified fiber splicing as a critical skill for repairing cuts and restoring signal integrity, underscoring their irreplaceable role in keeping Nigeria’s digital economy online.
Beyond the Trench: Right-of-Way and Vandalism
Discussions extended beyond technical faults to systemic barriers. Engineer Olufemi Onifade highlighted persistent issues like Right of Way (RoW) permit delays, uncoordinated road construction damaging existing lines, and rampant cable vandalism by scavengers. These non-technical challenges cause significant service interruptions, often wrongly attributed to network providers’ failures.
Why Fiber Engineers Are Nigeria’s Digital Keystone
The meet-up crystallized the engineers’ foundational role. They are essential for:
- Delivering reliable broadband and FTTH services.
- Maintaining backbone stability for wireless infrastructure.
- Enabling rapid fault resolution to minimize national downtime.
- Driving technical innovation through testing and optimization.
Forging a Collaborative Future for Nigeria’s Connectivity
The event concluded with a commitment to ongoing knowledge exchange and mentorship. By hosting this meet-up, Notion Technology fostered a community aimed at improving deployment standards and advocating for better infrastructure protection.
“We want to build unity and foster a strong network among fiber engineers. When engineers are united, they exchange knowledge, support one another, and collectively improve service delivery,” said Nana Oluwagbenga, Chief Executive Officer of Notion Technology Limited.
This pioneering gathering signals the rise of a more unified, empowered engineering community, recognized as the true backbone of Nigeria’s connected future.
