… Calls For Collaboration Among NCC, CBN, NBS
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), an umbrella group comprising telecom service providers in the country, has decried the discrepancy in telecommunication data publications by authorities.
In a statement to highlight the need for policymakers and stakeholders to better appreciate the sector’s investment landscape and the importance of improved data transparency, Chairman of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo said: “We recognise the importance of accurate data in shaping investor perceptions and guiding policy decisions, and we believe that additional context regarding the telecommunications sector’s current investment landscape will provide stakeholders with a more comprehensive understanding of the industry’s health and trajectory.”
While acknowledging the National Bureau of Statistics’ Q1 2026 Capital Importation Report and commending the ongoing efforts to monitor investment flows across critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, Engr. Adebayo noted that the sector’s recovery is reflected in sustained capital deployment.
He saluted the Federal Government for the “strategic 50% tariff increase approved in 2025”, which he said played a pivotal role in stabilizing the telecommunications sector, addressing critical revenue sustainability gaps, and restoring operational viability during a particularly challenging period. The timely investment, he further noted, enabled operators to transition from financial distress to a sustainable, growth-focused model characterised by significant capital reinvestment.
The ALTON Chairman pointed out that in 2025, Mobile Network Operators, Tower companies and other players in the sector recorded a total capital expenditure of ₦2.13 trillion, with planned capital expenditure of ₦1.86 trillion for 2026, directed towards network infrastructure expansion, technology enhancements, and essential operational investments critical to maintaining service quality and coverage.
Engr. Adebayo revealed that “While the NBS report indicates a decline in foreign capital importation into the telecommunications sector from $80.78 million in 2025 to $7.24 million in Q1 2026, this metric appears to capture only a portion of the total capital actively deployed within the sector. Our industry’s substantial Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) figures suggest that current investment derives from domestic capital sources, reinvested operational earnings – financial mechanisms that may not be fully reflected in conventional foreign capital importation metrics.”
He therefore called on relevant authorities that include the telecom regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to collaborate to ensure that accurate reliable data is made available for public consumption.
“This disparity between reported foreign capital inflows and actual infrastructure investment highlights a gap in how sectoral capital deployment is currently measured and reported.
To ensure Nigeria’s telecommunications sector investment profile is accurately represented, ALTON respectfully proposes a collaborative engagement among the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a more inclusive and comprehensive investment-tracking framework,” the Chairman said.
He explained that a transparent investment profile reflecting the sector’s substantial annual capital commitments will better position Nigeria as a credible and attractive destination for telecommunications investment, inform sound policy development, and sustain investor confidence. “We remain committed to working collaboratively with regulatory authorities and government institutions to ensure the sector’s contributions to national development are comprehensively documented and appropriately recognised,” he assured.
Engr. Adebayo concluded by assuring the public of continuous access to the digital services that drive economic growth, innovation, financial inclusion, and overall national development, as they look forward to sustained collaboration and support of the government, regulators, and other industry stakeholders.
