ALTON Chairman, Adebayo Avers Telecoms go beyond connecting people

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo has averred that “Telecommunications is no longer simply about connecting people. It is about connecting opportunities. Connecting industries. Connecting innovation. Connecting investment. And ultimately, connecting Nigeria to a more prosperous future.”

Adebayo said while speaking at the recent Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) summit in Lagos on the Theme: ‘Telecommunications: The Economy’s Critical Infrastructure’, noted that “Every modern economy is now powered by digital connectivity. Whether we speak of banking, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, education, logistics, commerce or government services, every sector increasingly depends on robust telecommunications infrastructure.

The ALTON boss highlighted that “Telecommunications has therefore evolved from being merely a communications service into one of the most critical enablers of national productivity, investment and economic resilience.

“The future competitiveness of Nigeria will depend not simply on the quality of our roads and ports, but equally on the quality, reach and resilience of our digital infrastructure.”

ALTON Chairman, while commenting on the Digital Economy Opportunity, explained that “Nigeria possesses one of Africa’s largest digital markets and our youthful population, entrepreneurial culture and growing technology ecosystem position us to become the continent’s digital powerhouse.”

“Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, e-commerce, digital media, smart manufacturing, precision agriculture and Industry 4.0 all depend fundamentally on reliable broadband infrastructure.

“Without resilient telecommunications networks, there can be no meaningful AI economy. Without fibre infrastructure, there can be no digital industrialisation.

“Without continuous investment in networks, there can be no sustainable digital transformation. Telecommunications is therefore not simply supporting the economy—it is becoming the economy’s digital backbone.”

Commenting on protecting critical national information infrastructure, Adebayo acknowledged that “Government’s designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) is both timely and commendable.

He argued that this recognition acknowledges what operators have long understood—those disruptions to telecommunications networks translate directly into economic losses, reduced productivity and diminished investor confidence.

“Protecting telecommunications infrastructure is therefore not solely a security responsibility. It requires a Whole-of-Society approach involving government, regulators, operators, businesses, local communities and law enforcement agencies. Infrastructure protection must become a shared national responsibility,” he added.

Commenting on building a resilient digital future, Adebayo said “As network operators, we equally recognise our own responsibilities. We must continue investing in resilient infrastructure. We must strengthen network security. We must adopt international standards in infrastructure deployment. We must improve redundancy and business continuity. We must leverage Artificial Intelligence to improve network management, predictive maintenance and cybersecurity. Resilience must be designed into our networks—not added afterwards.”

Adebayo emphasized that in creating an investment-friendly environment, “Nigeria requires sustained investment running into billions of dollars to expand fibre networks, improve rural connectivity, deploy 5G and prepare for emerging technologies.”

According to him, such investment can only occur where investors have confidence in the operating environment, adding that this requires:

 Policy consistency

 Regulatory certainty

 Protection of investments

 Efficient Right-of-Way processes

 Reduction of multiple taxation

 Elimination of infrastructure vandalism

 Faster approvals for network deployment

Adebayo concluded that “The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry remains an important platform for advancing this dialogue.”

Speaking on artificial intelligence and Nigeria’s future, Adebayo said that Artificial Intelligence represents one of the greatest economic opportunities of our generation, adding “However, AI cannot thrive without trusted digital infrastructure. AI requires high-capacity broadband, resilient data centres, secure cloud infrastructure and reliable power.

“The telecommunications sector is therefore laying the foundation upon which Nigeria’s AI future will be built. Our objective should not merely be to consume AI technologies but to create an enabling ecosystem where Nigerian innovators, researchers and businesses can develop AI solutions that address African challenges.”

He harped on the need for public-private partnership because the government alone cannot build the digital economy, likewise the private sector cannot succeed without supportive public policy.

“Our greatest successes have always emerged through collaboration. As business leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders, we must deepen partnerships that encourage innovation while protecting investments and promoting competition. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry remains an important platform for advancing this dialogue,” he added.

He affirmed that investment must continue as none of the opportunities before us can be realised without sustained private sector investment.

He noted that “Telecommunications remains one of the most capital-intensive sectors of the Nigerian economy. Every kilometre of fibre deployed, every base station constructed, every 5G site commissioned and every rural community connected requires significant long-term investment.

“I would like to acknowledge the Federal Government for the strategic tariff adjustment approved in 2025. That policy intervention played a pivotal role in restoring industry sustainability, enabling operators to move from a period of severe financial pressure to one of renewed capital reinvestment and network expansion.

The results are already evident. In 2025, Mobile Network Operators, Tower Companies and other industry players invested approximately ₦2.13 trillion in capital expenditure. For 2026, the industry has planned an additional ₦1.86 trillion in investment to expand network infrastructure, modernise technology, improve resilience and enhance quality of service across the country.

These figures demonstrate that, despite prevailing economic headwinds, telecommunications operators remain firmly committed to building Nigeria’s digital future. However, investment is not measured solely by foreign capital inflows. A substantial proportion of telecommunications investment is financed through domestic capital, reinvested earnings and other financing mechanisms that are not fully captured by conventional capital importation statistics. This creates a gap between reported investment figures and the actual level of infrastructure deployment taking place across the country.

For this reason, he said ALTON has proposed closer collaboration between the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a more comprehensive investment-reporting framework. A transparent and accurate investment profile will better position Nigeria as a credible destination for telecommunications investment, strengthen investor confidence and support sound public policy.

Investment follows confidence, and confidence is built on policy consistency, regulatory certainty, infrastructure protection and transparent market information. If Nigeria is to remain Africa’s leading digital economy, we must continue creating an environment in which investors are encouraged to deploy long-term capital with confidence.

Commenting on restoring consumer trust and addressing the data depletion narrative, he debunk the allegation that telecommunications operators deliberately “steal” or unlawfully deplete customers’ data.

“Let me state unequivocally: telecommunications operators have absolutely no commercial incentive to steal customers’ data. Such a practice would be unlawful, unethical, commercially self-defeating, and subject to stringent regulatory oversight by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“Every megabyte of data consumed on our networks is recorded through internationally standardized billing systems supplied by globally recognized technology vendors. These systems are independently audited, comply with internationally accepted telecommunications standards, and are designed to ensure that billing is accurate, transparent, and verifiable. Operators cannot arbitrarily manipulate customers’ data balances without detection.

“More importantly, data is consumed today in ways that many users do not fully appreciate. Unlike a decade ago, smartphones now run dozens of applications in the background. Cloud backups, automatic software updates, app synchronization, video streaming, social media autoplay, high-definition content, artificial intelligence services, location tracking, security updates, and connected devices all consume data continuously, often without the user actively browsing the internet.

“A single software update can consume hundreds of megabytes. High-definition video streaming may consume over 3 GB per hour, while ultra-high-definition content can consume significantly more. Automatic cloud photo backups, operating system updates, and background application refreshes are among the largest contributors to unexpected data usage.

“Independent international studies by organizations such as GSMA, equipment manufacturers, smartphone operating system providers, and network equipment vendors consistently show that the overwhelming majority of mobile data consumption is driven by user applications and device settings, not by the network operator.

“The NCC has also established clear consumer protection mechanisms, including complaint resolution processes and technical audits, to investigate any allegation of inaccurate billing. Where genuine billing errors occur as may occasionally happen in any complex technology environment operators are required to investigate and provide appropriate remedies.

“Rather than promoting unverified allegations that undermine confidence in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, we should focus on improving digital literacy. Consumers should be encouraged to understand how their devices consume data, monitor application usage, utilise built-in data management tools, and report any genuine concerns through established regulatory channels.”

He underscored that trust is fundamental to the digital economy, stressing that telecommunications operators remain committed to transparency, fairness, and continuous improvement in customer experience. We welcome constructive scrutiny, evidence-based dialogue, and regulatory oversight because these strengthen public confidence and ultimately improve the services we provide.

He emphasized that the digital economy cannot flourish where misinformation erodes trust and urged Nigerians to learn to promote facts over speculation, evidence over perception, and partnership over suspicion.