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Fibre Cuts Disrupt MTN Nigeria’s Network Nationwide
MTN Nigeria has disclosed that it suffered 9,218 fibre cuts in 2025, a challenge that triggered widespread network disruptions across different parts of the country.
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The telecom operator said the repeated fibre damage significantly affected service quality, as fibre infrastructure remains critical to voice, data, and enterprise connectivity nationwide.
Theft and Vandalism Hit 211 Network Sites
In addition to fibre cuts, MTN Nigeria reported that 211 network sites were impacted by theft and vandalism as of November 30, 2025. These incidents disrupted essential telecom services relied upon daily by millions of customers, further compounding operational challenges.
Industry experts note that vandalism, cable theft, and road construction damage have become some of the biggest threats to telecom infrastructure in Nigeria.
MTN Resolves Over 1.6 Million Customer Complaints
Despite the operational setbacks, MTN Nigeria said it successfully handled 1,624,263 customer complaints during the year, resolving all cases through its various service and support channels.
The company also revealed that it reached 85 million subscribers by September 2025, reinforcing its position as the largest mobile network operator in the country.
CEO Reaffirms Commitment to Customer Experience
Reacting to the developments, Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, acknowledged the company’s responsibility for network performance and service quality.
In a post on LinkedIn, Toriola said:
“There is progress to be proud of. And we clearly still have work to do.”
He added that while the company has made improvements, MTN remains focused on placing customers at the centre of its operations.
“We are not where we want to be yet, but our commitment to putting the customer at the centre of everything we do remains constant,” he stated.
Focus on Service Improvement Ahead of 25th Anniversary
As MTN Nigeria prepares to mark its 25th anniversary in 2026, Toriola reaffirmed the company’s resolve to listen more closely to customers, respond faster to service issues, and drive consistent improvements across its network.
Government Moves to Protect Fibre Infrastructure
The disclosure comes against the backdrop of a planned February 2025 initiative by the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, to jointly establish a standing committee on the protection of fibre optic infrastructure in Nigeria.
The committee is expected to strengthen collaboration between government agencies and telecom operators, reduce infrastructure damage, and improve overall network reliability nationwide.
Outlook: Infrastructure Protection Key to Network Stability
Analysts say that sustained enforcement of fibre protection policies, alongside collaboration between operators and government agencies, will be critical to reducing service disruptions and supporting Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
