Nigeria’s major telecommunications operators have insisted that the country has the technical capacity to support real-time electronic transmission of election results, dismissing claims of inadequate infrastructure as misleading. Leading operators, including; MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and T2 Mobile, described such concerns as half-truths and urged lawmakers to rely on verified data about the country’s telecom network coverage.
The operators challenged the Senate to obtain accurate information from the Nigerian Communications Commission, stressing that statements not backed by the regulator risk misrepresenting the current state of telecom development in the country.
Telcos Challenge Senate Claims on Telecom Infrastructure
The position was reinforced by the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), the umbrella body for telecom companies. Its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said infrastructure assessments must be based strictly on verified regulatory data. Speaking on the issue, he questioned the basis of the Senate’s position and highlighted existing network coverage across the country.
His words: “Upon which survey or statistics is the Senate coming up with its position of inadequate telecom infrastructure? As we speak today, over 70% of the country is covered with 3G and 4G, and 5G have about 11% coverage and the rest is 2G.”
“Even in reality, 2G is strong enough to transmit results electronically. I do not know where the Senate is getting its information but we can’t take that blanket ban on electronic transmission based on a half-truth about our infrastructure and investments.”
“We agree that there are just maybe about two states that, due to insurgency, that our members cannot risk going to maintain facilities. But that is what all stakeholders can sit together and decide how to cover those places. It’s not enough to say the country is not ready for electronic transmission.’’
Adebayo’s position aligns with that of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which in 2022 dismissed concerns over network limitations. The commission had stated that where connectivity challenges exist, results uploaded electronically would transmit once devices move into areas with network coverage.
