Telecom giant MTN Nigeria has announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) technology in a bid to safeguard its fibre optic infrastructure, as the company struggles with a surge in cable vandalism that has disrupted connectivity nationwide and cost billions in repairs.
The AI system, developed in collaboration with Huawei Technologies, will monitor underground fibre routes by detecting abnormal vibrations, identifying the source of activity, and instantly alerting response teams. This comes at a time when telecom infrastructure sabotage is threatening Nigeria’s digital future.
“Our goal is to proactively detect and address threats to our fibre network before they cause service outages,” said Yahaya Ibrahim, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO), during a session at the MTN Media Innovation Programme.
The system is part of a larger resilience strategy that includes route patrols, real-time monitoring, bypass systems during construction, and alternative routing to maintain service during emergencies.
Mounting Threats, Soaring Costs
According to internal data shared with Techparley, MTN recorded over 13,700 fibre optic cuts between January 2024 and June 2025 — with 4,700 occurring in just the first half of 2025. The South-East and South-South zones remain the hardest hit, with states like Akwa Ibom, Abia, and Rivers flagged as major vandalism hotspots. Cities such as Omoku and Egbema were specifically identified as critical zones requiring intervention.
The causes of these cuts are not solely criminal. Road construction activities also play a large role, with Ibrahim noting that 69% of all incidents were attributed to either vandalism or uncoordinated construction.
The financial toll is staggering: MTN spent ₦17.6 billion in 2024 on repairs and relocations. The 2025 budget is projected to reach ₦26.3 billion. But the cost of inaction could be higher. Each disruption averages 15 hours of service downtime, disabling mobile networks, internet access, online banking, and emergency response capabilities in affected areas.
Why It Matters
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed a presidential order classifying telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNI), making its destruction a criminal offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison. However, enforcement has remained inconsistent.
While MTN acknowledges the policy’s positive intent, the company emphasizes the need for public education and stronger collaborations with local and federal authorities.
“Progress is being made, but the law needs to be operationalized fully,” Ibrahim said. “Connectivity is not a luxury. It’s vital to Nigeria’s economy, security, and daily life.”
A Call for Collective Responsibility
Beyond technological solutions, Ibrahim believes safeguarding telecom infrastructure must involve communities, stakeholders, and the public.
“When connectivity goes down, it affects everyone — from the merchant trying to process payments to the patient needing emergency help. Everyone has a stake in keeping the lines open,” he added.
MTN’s move reflects a broader trend in African telecoms: as digital adoption accelerates, infrastructure protection is becoming just as critical as network expansion.
Talking Points
AI in Fibre Security? Long Overdue but Welcome. MTN deploying AI to monitor fibre cables is a step in the right direction but it’s honestly overdue. With over 13,700 fibre cuts in just 18 months, the question shouldn’t be why AI now? it should be why not years ago?
The decision shows how telcos in Africa are waking up to tech-driven resilience rather than relying solely on reactive repairs and manual surveillance.
Nigeria’s Digital Economy is Under Siege. The sheer scale of vandalism (with Akwa Ibom, Abia, and Rivers leading the chaos) shows just how vulnerable Nigeria’s tech backbone is.
Let’s be honest: without secure infrastructure, all the hype around digital banking, e-commerce, and smart cities is meaningless. A single cut in a cable can knock out entire communities for hours. This isn’t just inconvenient — it’s economically destructive.
