Nigeria’s biggest telecom operator, MTN, has disclosed that its network recorded 9,218 fibre cuts in 2025, drawing attention to ongoing fragilities in the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure. By the end of November, theft and vandalism had impacted 211 network sites, compounding pressure on service stability.
In a LinkedIn post titled “MTN Nigeria 2025 Wrapped,” Chief Executive Officer Karl Olutokun Toriola said each incident resulted in service disruptions that millions of Nigerians depend on every day, highlighting the difficulty of sustaining a robust digital network.
“By the end of September 2025, more than 85 million subscribers had chosen MTN,” Dr Toriola stated. “As our customer base grows, so does our responsibility. Fibre cuts, theft, and vandalism have directly affected services, and we acknowledge and take responsibility for these challenges.”
MTN disclosed that it handled 1,624,263 customer complaints during the year, received through phone calls, emails, social media platforms, and walk-in service centres. Dr Toriola said each complaint is viewed as an important indicator, helping the company assess areas where service met expectations and where improvements are still needed.
The findings are consistent with data from the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Uptime portal, which recorded 118 network outage incidents across telecom operators in December 2025. MTN accounted for the highest number, with 64 disruptions attributed to fibre cuts, power failures, bushfires, and vandalism.
Acknowledging these challenges, MTN’s CEO reaffirmed the company’s commitment to service improvement, noting that customer focus remains central despite existing gaps.
Despite government interventions, Nigerian telecom operators continue to experience frequent service disruptions linked to vandalism and fibre damage. Although telecom infrastructure was designated as critical national information infrastructure in August 2024, and reporting platforms and interministerial coordination were introduced in 2025, weak enforcement has limited their impact.
Incidents have persisted due to factors such as theft for black-market resale, accidental damage during construction, bush burning, and restricted access to sites, resulting in revenue losses for operators and declining service quality for subscribers. As MTN Nigeria approaches its 25th anniversary in 2026, the company says its focus remains on strengthening network resilience and improving customer experience.
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