Diesel suppliers have started supplying IHS, a telecom infrastructure company that manages more than 16,000 base stations for MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) intervened.
On Saturday, suppliers operating under the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) announced that a strike by its members had been suspended.
Bennett Korie, the national president of NOGASA, told reporters in Abuja that the association decided to end the industrial action after ONSA and NCC officials intervened.
Stoppage of diesel supply to IHS Towers
The suppliers had previously cut off supply to the telecom firms, which rely significantly on diesel-powered generators to run their businesses, following what they said were years of accrued debt.
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Thanks to the mediation role of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the action that would have prolonged the disruption of telecom services, resulting in the loss of voice and data services for millions of users, has been temporarily avoided.
According to the information, Nigeria’s mobile industry uses over 40 million litres of diesel per month, with prices for off-grid and rural locations—where electricity is scarce—roughly 37 per cent higher.
Seven-day ultimatum
NOGASA President Korie told the media that the members decided to start supplying again immediately, but would give the authorities seven days to resolve any unresolved issues.
“Following the interventions of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Communications Commission (NCC) and their assurances that the matter that led to the withdrawal of our services will be resolved amicably with effect from Monday, August 11, 2025 in the interest of energy security and Nigerians at large, we hereby resolve to resume our services immediately at the affected depots.”
“The NEC of NOGASA has resolved at the meeting that started 8.30 am (Saturday), August 9, 2025, to suspend our withdrawal of services for seven days to IHS. However, if the matter is not resolved within the seven days, we will resume the withdrawal of our services effectively without further notice,” Korie added.
Directives to resume diesel supply to IHS Towers
He urged all suppliers to start doing business with IHS again immediately and to start providing round-the-clock services to compensate for lost time, if possible.
Korie explained that the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) was only worried about their employees’ safety and was not involved in NOGASA’s service withdrawal.
Diesel suppliers’ side of the story
He clarified that although debts owed to NOGASA members span most industries, including construction, IHS’s case was unique.
The company was asked to attend the National Executive Committee (NEC) of NOGASA on July 31 to reconcile the outstanding figures, but the officials chose not to go.
“That’s what led to this. We invited them. They are not the only ones we invited; some appeared but refused to come. As a result, the committee decided to withdraw NOGASA’s service. That was what happened,” he added.
Korie’s side of the story is different from that of Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), who said that 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, bringing a different twist to the crisis.
Despite previous litigation and reconciliation efforts, including high-level meetings in July 2025, IHS accused Korie of using his power over NUPENG and NOGASA as a weapon, using the unions as leverage to thwart due process.