The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo issued a critical call to action for the future of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry as the year 2024 comes to a close. In his address at the End-of-Year Dinner with Industry Stakeholders on Sunday, December 29, 2024, Engr. Adebayo emphasized that “this is not a time for further deliberation or delayed decisions. The survival of the telecom sector demands immediate and bold reform for its sustainability. Our tariffs must be reviewed to reflect the economic realities of delivering telecom services at a minimum for industry sustainability. Without this, operators cannot continue to guarantee service availability.”
He warned that the sector is facing a moment of crisis, stating, “We are in the last days for the survival of this sector, and if immediate and decisive action is not taken, the hope for a better 2025 will remain just that—a hope.” Engr. Adebayo explained that the challenges confronting the telecom industry are not new, but they have grown more severe in the past year. These include rising operational costs, soaring energy prices, inflationary pressures, and volatile exchange rates—all of which have placed an unsustainable burden on operators. “Despite these mounting pressures, tariffs have remained stagnant, leaving operators trapped in a financial quagmire. The resources needed to maintain, expand, and modernize our networks are simply no longer available. Without intervention, the future of this sector is at grave risk.”
He further warned that failure to act could lead to severe consequences in 2025. “If nothing is done, we might begin to see grim outcomes, such as service shedding. Operators may not be able to provide services in certain areas or during some times of the day, leaving millions of Nigerians disconnected. The economic fallout will be significant, with businesses suffering from a lack of connectivity, stalling growth and innovation. Key sectors like security, commerce, healthcare, and education, which rely heavily on telecom infrastructure, will face serious disruptions.”
Reflecting on the sector’s resilience through the challenging year, Engr. Adebayo stated, “As we navigate this near-turbulent year, we are confident that history will judge us right for the role we have played in attempting to rescue this sector. Stakeholders have stood together to uphold the values and importance of telecommunications in our society. However, let me be clear: our work is far from over. It is not enough to have kept the sector afloat; we must now focus on securing its future.”
He concluded with a call for urgent action: “The sustainability challenges we face today are not just a passing storm—they are a clarion call for decisive action to ensure that this industry thrives for generations to come. Despite the dire warnings, we still believe that a better 2025 is possible—but only if we act now. Let this be the moment when we come together, acknowledge the urgency of the situation, and commit to saving this sector.”
“If we fail to act, history will record that we had countless warnings, yet we allowed inaction to jeopardize one of the most critical pillars of Nigeria’s development,” Engr. Adebayo cautioned. “But if we succeed, 2025 can be the year we turned things around—a year of hope, resilience, and sustainability for the telecom industry.”
“The time for action is now. Let us not wait until it is too late. ALTON stands ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure the survival and prosperity of this sector,” Engr. Adebayo emphasized.
