NCC, ONSA Avert Diesel Supply Strike, Shielding Nigeria’s Telecom Services from Nationwide Disruption

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has moved decisively to protect the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, following the suspension of a planned diesel supply strike by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA).

The Commission, working alongside the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), brokered a last-minute resolution that prevented what could have been a crippling disruption to telecom services across the country.

The strike, had it gone ahead, would have halted diesel supply to thousands of telecom sites nationwide, threatening the ability of network operators to run diesel-powered generators that keep connectivity uninterrupted.

In the tense days leading up to the agreement, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu led strategic engagements with NOGASA’s leadership, while the NCC provided technical and regulatory guidance to emphasise the grave national security, economic, and societal risks of such a disruption.

“These facilities are the backbone of our digital economy. Any interruption—whether through vandalism, theft, or supply shortages—has far-reaching consequences for connectivity, economic stability, and security,” Ribadu said.

NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, praised the resolution, stressing the importance of dialogue in preventing avoidable service breakdowns. “We will continue to enforce technical standards and foster cooperation among stakeholders to safeguard telecom infrastructure,” he said. “Every Nigerian should regard these facilities as shared national assets that enable communication, business, education, healthcare, and participation in the global economy.”

The NCC reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), pledging to coordinate with security agencies and industry stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s telecommunications network remains resilient and reliable.