Telecommunications operators have expressed commitment to see through the N1.86 trillion investments planned for 2026 even as they rallied industrialists for more support for the sector.

Under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the operators stressed the importance of sustained investment and policy stability to secure Nigeria’s place as Africa’s leading digital economy.

Speaking at the ICTEL EXPO Conference, the ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, who was the keynote speaker, emphasised that telecommunications was no longer just a service sector but the backbone of Nigeria’s economic transformation.

The Chairman underscored that every modern sector, from banking and manufacturing to healthcare and education, relied on robust digital connectivity.

“Telecommunications has therefore evolved from being merely a communications service into one of the most critical enablers of national productivity, investment and economic resilience,” he stated.

He warned that Nigeria’s competitiveness will depend as much on the quality of its digital infrastructure as on its roads and ports.

Despite economic headwinds, telecom operators have demonstrated strong commitment to infrastructure growth.

In 2025, the industry invested approximately N2.13 trillion in capital expenditure, while an additional N1.86 trillion is planned for this year.

The funds will expand fibre networks, modernise technology, enhance resilience, and improve service quality nationwide. The Chairman credited the Federal Government’s 2025 tariff adjustment policy for restoring industry sustainability and enabling renewed reinvestment.

However, he cautioned that investment figures often understate the true scale of activity, as much of the sector’s financing comes from domestic capital and reinvested earnings. To address this, ALTON has proposed closer collaboration between regulators and financial institutions to create a more transparent investment-reporting framework.

The government’s designation of telecom networks as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) was hailed as a timely move. The Chairman stressed that safeguarding these assets must be a shared responsibility involving government, regulators, operators, businesses, communities, and law enforcement. “Infrastructure protection must become a shared national responsibility,” he declared.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) featured prominently in the address, with the Chairman noting that Nigeria’s AI ambitions cannot thrive without trusted digital infrastructure. Reliable broadband, secure cloud systems, resilient data centres, and stable power are essential foundations. He urged Nigeria not only to consume AI technologies but to foster an ecosystem where local innovators can develop solutions tailored to African challenges.

The Chairman also tackled the contentious issue of alleged “data theft” by operators. He dismissed the narrative as misinformation, explaining that modern smartphones consume data through background processes such as cloud backups, software updates, and high-definition streaming. “Telecommunications operators have absolutely no commercial incentive to steal customers’ data,” he affirmed, noting that billing systems are internationally audited and regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He called for improved digital literacy to help consumers understand data usage and urged reliance on established complaint channels rather than speculation.

Adebayo emphasised that neither government nor private operators can build the digital economy alone.

Success, he argued, lies in collaboration. Policy consistency, regulatory certainty, efficient right-of-way processes, and elimination of multiple taxation are critical to attracting long-term capital.

“Investment follows confidence, and confidence is built on policy consistency, regulatory certainty, infrastructure protection and transparent market information,” he said.

The Chairman painted a vivid picture of a digitally empowered Nigeria: schools connected to broadband, hospitals leveraging telemedicine, manufacturers running smart factories, and agriculture powered by precision technology. He concluded with a rallying call: “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.”