The Nigerian Communications Commission said the service issues affected subscribers of MTN and Airtel. According to the regulator, the problem was not network failure. Instead, it was linked to diesel supply disruptions at key infrastructure sites.
In a statement released on December 12, 2025, the NCC said power challenges affected base stations across parts of the capital. These sites are operated by IHS Nigeria, a major tower company that supports several mobile networks.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission acknowledges the quality of service challenges being experienced in Abuja,” the regulator said. It added that subscriber experience had been impacted as a result.
Diesel Supply at the Centre of the Outage
Telecom networks in Nigeria depend heavily on diesel generators. This is due to unstable public electricity supply. Tower companies like IHS manage power, security, and maintenance for mobile operators.
The NCC said the current Abuja telecom outage followed disruptions linked to the National Oil and Gas Suppliers Association. The action reportedly affected diesel deliveries to several base stations.
“The challenges are a result of the activities of the National Oil and Gas Suppliers Association,” the Commission said. It noted that the disruption caused outages in multiple locations.
As a result, MTN and Airtel subscribers experienced slow data speeds and dropped connections. The situation highlights how fuel supply remains critical to network reliability.
The regulator said it is working closely with industry players to restore full service. It also confirmed ongoing talks aimed at preventing a repeat.
“The NCC is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to address the diesel supply issues and explore sustainable solutions,” the statement said.
A Familiar Problem for Telecom Users
Diesel-related outages are not new in Nigeria’s telecom sector. In 2015, MTN warned that fuel scarcity threatened service quality nationwide.
More recently, fibre cuts have added pressure. Telcos recorded about 19,000 fibre cuts within eight months this year. These incidents often worsen outages when power issues occur.
The NCC has since introduced a public portal to track telecom service disruptions. However, Abuja residents were urged to remain patient while work continues.
“We thank telecommunications subscribers for their understanding and patience,” the Commission said. It reaffirmed its commitment to reliable services nationwide.
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