ALTON Chairman Warns Of A looming Telecom Crisis

The Chairman of the Association of Telecom License Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, has raised alarm about the challenges facing the telecom sector, warning that urgent action is needed to secure its future.

Speaking at an end-of-year party, Adebayo emphasized the importance of addressing the industry’s issues before it’s too late. He said, “As we reflect on the ending of year 2024, there is a need to issue an urgent and critical call to action for the future of our telecommunications industry.” He stressed that it was not the time for further delay or discussions. Immediate reform is essential for the sector’s survival, and tariffs need to be adjusted to reflect the current economic realities. “Without this, operators cannot continue to guarantee service availability,” he added.

Adebayo further warned that if nothing changes, the telecom sector may not survive. He stated, “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.”

He pointed out that the industry’s challenges are not new, but have become much worse over the past year. Rising operational costs, increasing energy prices, inflation, and unstable exchange rates have created a heavy burden on telecom operators. Despite these difficulties, tariffs have remained the same, which has trapped operators in financial struggles. Adebayo said, “The resources needed to maintain, expand, and modernize the networks are simply no longer available, and without intervention, the future of the sector is at grave risk.”

He warned that if the situation continues, the sector could face serious consequences in the new year. “We might begin to see service shedding, where operators will not be able to provide services in some areas or at certain times, leaving millions disconnected. There will be a significant economic fallout, as businesses will suffer from a lack of connectivity, stalling growth and innovation,” he said.

Adebayo also highlighted that key sectors like security, commerce, healthcare, and education, which rely heavily on telecom services, will be severely impacted. “This year has been turbulent for the sector, but we remain hopeful that history will judge us right for the efforts we’ve made to rescue the industry,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that there is still much work to be done. “It is not enough to have kept the sector afloat; we must now focus on securing its future,” Adebayo stressed. The challenges are not temporary, but rather a call for decisive action to ensure the sector thrives for years to come.

Despite the warnings, he remains optimistic about the possibility of a better 2025, but only if the necessary steps are taken now. He urged, “Let this be the moment when we come together, acknowledge the urgency of the situation, and commit to saving this sector.”

Adebayo concluded by saying, “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. But if we succeed, 2025 can be the year we turned things around—a year of hope, resilience, and sustainability for the telecom industry.”

He ended by reaffirming ALTON’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure the sector’s survival and prosperity. “The time for action is now. Let us not wait until it is too late,” he concluded.

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