ATCON warns of impending telecom shutdown due to diesel scarcity

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has issued a dire warning about an impending network shutdown in Lagos and Ogun States due to a worsening diesel supply crisis.

According to reports, the crisis is a result of an indefinite strike by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), a division of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which has severely disrupted fuel distribution.

ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, voiced deep concern over the situation, stating that the fuel supply disruption is pushing telecom base stations toward a shutdown, which could leave millions of mobile and internet users disconnected.

Explaining the cause of the strike, Emoekpere said: “This strike, triggered by the continued harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has completely halted truck loading operations and fuel deliveries.”

With telecom infrastructure running on limited diesel reserves, many critical sites are at risk of going offline. Emoekpere warned that if immediate action is not taken, the crisis could lead to a widespread network outage, disrupting:

• Mobile and internet services
• Business and financial transactions
• Emergency communication systems
• Everyday communication needs

To prevent this looming disaster, ATCON has urged the Governors of Lagos and Ogun States to intervene and ensure that diesel is promptly released to telecom operators.

“This goes beyond the telecom sector—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and endanger public safety,” Emoekpere emphasized.

The association also called on security agencies and petroleum unions to urgently resolve the dispute and safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.