Nigeria's telecommunications sector faces growing threats from poor power supply, security challenges, and dwindling investment, according to ipNX, a leading technology company. Oluseyi Lala, divisional CEO of IpNX Business, issued the warning during the Nigeria Telecoms Forum 2026 in Lagos, stressing that isolated efforts can no longer sustain sector growth. He emphasized the urgent need for collaboration among telecom operators, government agencies, and investors to support the country's digital economy. A major concern raised was cybersecurity, as Nigeria adopts 5G and cloud services. Lala noted that many stakeholders wrongly assume vendors secure systems, creating dangerous vulnerabilities. "Cybersecurity is no longer optional; it is essential for the survival of the telecom industry," he said. He called for coordinated threat detection and response involving operators, regulators, and security agencies, while acknowledging NITDA's move to establish a cyber threat committee.
Power supply remains a critical obstacle, with operators relying on costly diesel generators, driving up expenses and reducing service quality. Forum participants urged a state of emergency in the power sector. Funding challenges were also highlighted, worsened by the naira's depreciation, which has made long-term investment harder to secure. Institutions like the Africa Finance Corporation are now more cautious. Stakeholders recommended stronger business practices and adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies to attract global green and sustainability-linked funding. Jamiu Ijaodola, convener of the forum, said collaboration is no longer optional, as the industry reaches a critical juncture. Improved policies, infrastructure support, and innovation-friendly regulations were cited as necessary for stability. ipNX reaffirmed its commitment to industry partnerships and reform advocacy. Experts agreed that with better power, security, funding, and cooperation, the sector can expand and serve millions more users.
Oluseyi Lala demands coordinated cybersecurity action while telecom operators continue to depend on diesel-powered infrastructure, exposing a gap between digital ambition and physical reality. The same networks touted as future-ready cannot function without fuel-driven generators, placing millions of users at the mercy of volatile energy costs. When even basic power access remains unreliable, the push for ESG-linked funding risks becoming a performance for foreign investors. The sector's survival may depend less on committees and more on fixing what keeps the lights off.
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