Technology entrepreneur and public analyst, Israel Ihaza, has warned that repeated damage to Nigeria’s fibre-optic infrastructure could have consequences far beyond telecommunications, disrupting businesses and essential services across the country.
Ihaza, founder and Chief Executive Officer of PropTech company Oikus, spoke during an appearance on the TVC Breakfast Show against the backdrop of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s disclosure that more than 5,000 fibre-cut incidents were recorded in the first half of 2026. The NCC attributed the incidents largely to road construction, excavation and related civil works.
According to Ihaza, Nigeria’s increasing dependence on digital systems means that connectivity has become an important part of economic infrastructure.
“This is how we should see the digital infrastructure because it powers the current digital economy that we’re in today,” he said.
He identified businesses, healthcare facilities, banks, schools, government offices and security services among the sectors dependent on reliable connectivity.
“It powers businesses, it powers healthcare facilities, it powers the banking sector,” he said.
Ihaza said the consequences could be particularly visible among small businesses that depend on digital payment systems.
“Imagine we have, like, 20 local market owners that deal with POS, and these 20 POS are not working, and they have lined up people. That is complete disruption,” he gave clarity.
He also drew attention to remote workers whose livelihoods increasingly depend on reliable internet access.
He said fibre damage could contribute to the loss of business opportunities for Nigerians working remotely and participating in the digital economy.
The Oikus CEO said the problem should not be viewed solely as deliberate vandalism because accidental damage during excavation was also a significant concern.
“There are actual theft, when there is deliberate vandalism, and there’s the part where they don’t know what this infrastructure is like,” he said.
He called for stronger coordination between telecommunications operators, construction companies and government authorities, alongside better public awareness.
The NCC has similarly called for stronger coordination among road contractors, engineers, government agencies, operators and security agencies, saying communications infrastructure supports banking, education, healthcare, commerce and emergency services.
Ihaza said protecting fibre networks should therefore be considered part of protecting the wider economy.
“We need to understand the importance of this infrastructure to ensure that the economy and our livelihoods are running as it should,” he insisted.
Ihaza’s work at Oikus has focused on applying technology and data to improve transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s property sector. He has also commented publicly on issues including property data, digitalisation, urbanisation and infrastructure.
