To tackle the persistent issue of fiber optic cuts caused by road construction and rehabilitation, the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) have established a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables. These disruptions have significantly impacted telecommunications services across Nigeria, leading to network outages and economic losses.
The Committee was inaugurated on Tuesday, February 18, at the FMoW Boardroom by Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of FMoW, alongside his counterpart at FMoCIDE, Engr. Farouk Yusuf. Also present was Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The committee consists of key representatives from both ministries and the NCC.
Objectives and Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of the Joint Standing Committee is to establish and maintain effective coordination between FMoW, FMoCIDE, and the NCC to prevent fiber optic damage during road construction and rehabilitation. The committee will:
- Develop clear communication channels between road construction companies and telecom operators.
- Establish modalities to minimize fiber damage from construction activities and vandalism.
- Serve as a coordinating body for fiber protection before, during, and after road projects.
- Set industry-wide engagement processes and procedures for fiber deployment.
- Share monthly performance reports to track progress and challenges.
- Develop an instant communication mechanism to ensure swift information dissemination among stakeholders.
Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi emphasized that the Ministry of Works will ensure fiber placement is considered in road planning, design, and construction. He also assured that future projects will include pre-installed ducts to accommodate fiber networks, preventing unnecessary damage.
Engr. Farouk Yusuf highlighted the economic importance of fiber optic cables, describing them as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy. He reiterated that protecting fiber infrastructure is critical to maintaining seamless broadband connectivity, economic growth, and technological innovation.
Addressing the Growing Fiber Cut Crisis
Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO of NCC, stressed the importance of the committee’s mandate, stating that reducing fiber cuts will significantly enhance Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. He cited alarming statistics, revealing that over 50,000 fiber cut incidents were recorded in 2023, with approximately 30,000 caused by federal and state road construction. These incidents have resulted in major network outages, including the February 2024 nationwide MTN outage.
He identified the lack of coordination between road construction firms and fiber operators as a key contributor to the rising number of fiber cuts.
“I am optimistic that this Committee’s work will lead to a significant reduction in fiber cuts caused by road construction. This will, in turn, reduce network outages, prevent unnecessary repair costs, and limit the need for redundant routes to serve as backups,” Maida stated.
He also emphasized that fiber protection benefits all Nigerians. Every fiber cut disrupts connectivity for businesses and individuals, forcing operators to invest in costly redundancy measures. Preventing avoidable disruptions would allow telecom companies to redirect resources towards network expansion and infrastructure improvement.
By safeguarding fiber networks, this initiative will help Nigeria achieve more reliable telecommunications services, support economic growth, and enhance nationwide digital transformation efforts.
