Telecom companies in Nigeria have warned that significant service disruptions throughout the nation may soon occur due to the continuous blockage of diesel supply by members of the two main oil industry unions, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA).
According to telecommunications giants like MTN and Airtel, this disturbance can affect significant aspects of the nation, especially in the banking and medical sectors.
The coordinated blockade of diesel supplies to telecom infrastructure run by IHS Towers puts Nigeria on the verge of a telecommunications blackout, potentially paralysing critical services and mobile networks nationwide.
NOGASA and NUPENG members have prevented diesel trucks from loading at depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko in Delta State, according to a statement released on Thursday in Lagos by Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).
This has cut off lifeline fuel supplies to more than 16,000 base transceiver stations, power networks like MTN and Airtel and vital services like banking, emergency response, and national security operations.
According to the head of ALTON, thousands of telecom sites, particularly those operated by IHS Towers, one of Nigeria’s biggest network infrastructure companies, are powered by diesel.
Reason for the crisis
The President of NOGASA, Comrade Benneth Korie, who owns Empire Energy Ltd. and BB King Oil (WA) Ltd., is at the centre of the crisis. He is accused of planning the blockade to pressure IHS over a long-standing business dispute.
According to ALTON, the standoff is caused by allegations that Korie’s companies illegally diverted and hoarded more than 19 million litres of diesel intended for telecom tower power.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently prosecuting the case.
“The unions’ action reportedly followed a dispute over alleged fuel theft involving two NOGASA-linked companies and IHS. The matter is being investigated,” the ALTON Chairman said.
ALTON urged the unions to put aside their differences and respect the law, saying, “This is no longer a labour issue, it’s an existential threat to Nigeria’s digital and economic lifelines.”
Despite ongoing litigation and efforts at reconciliation, including high-level meetings in July 2025, IHS has accused Korie of using his power over NUPENG and NOGASA as a weapon, using the unions as leverage to try to thwart due process.
Major sectors impacted by the diesel supply blockade
According to Adebayo, the blockade already impacts some of the 16,000 telecom sites that support the operation of emergency services, banking, mobile networks, internet, hospitals, and security systems throughout Nigeria.
“If diesel supply remains blocked, we are looking at a potential shutdown of voice and data services, banking systems, hospital communications, and even security coordination nationwide,” he added.
The issue has grown to be one of national security as ALTON urged government agencies such as the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the NSCDC to intervene before the nation’s networks are completely shut down.
“This is a serioush threat to public safety and national security, telecom sites are critical infrastructure, blocking fuel from reaching them is dangerous and illegal,” he said.
Adebayo called on the oil unions to end the blockade immediately and settle disagreements amicably.
“Without diesel, we can not keep the networks running. Millions of Nigerians could lose access to vital services,” Adebayo warned.
If the impasse continues, millions of Nigerians may experience widespread service outages, which could result in an unprecedented national shutdown that would disrupt data access, emergency calls, financial transactions, and security operations.