Nigeria’s Telcos Must Collaborate To Survive Emerging Risks – ipNX

Information and communications technology firm, ipNX, has called for deeper collaboration among telecom operators, increased government support, and urgent infrastructure reforms to ensure sustainable growth in the country’s telecommunications sector.

The remark was made at the Nigeria Telecoms Forum 2026 held in Lagos, by the divisional CEO, ipNX Business, Oluseyi Lala, alongside key industry stakeholders who converged to address challenges confronting the sector.

Speaking during a panel session titled “Securing the Digital Backbone: Cyber Resilience and Data Protection in the Age of 5G and Cloud,” Lala noted that as the industry adopts emerging technologies, including 5G and cloud computing, safeguarding digital infrastructure must remain paramount.

“Cybersecurity is no longer optional, it is fundamental to the sustainability of our industry. A unified and coordinated approach to threat detection and response will significantly enhance our ability to protect critical telecom infrastructure,” he said.

He, however, warned against the growing assumption that vendors or infrastructure providers have fully secured systems, noting that such complacency exposes the ecosystem to vulnerabilities.

According to him, “effective security depends on coordinated vigilance and accountability from all stakeholders,” adding that collaboration among operators, regulators, and security agencies is critical to mitigating risks and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.

He, further, commended the Federal Government, particularly the National Information Technology Development Agency, for setting up a committee to respond to cyber threats within the sector.

Similarly, stakeholders at the forum identified unreliable power supply as a major constraint to telecom growth, calling for urgent government intervention.

While the Participants described electricity as a critical enabler for network expansion, improved service quality, and cost efficiency, even as operators continue to shoulder the burden of self-generation.

Additionally, the forum also examined the financial pressures facing operators, especially following currency devaluation, which has made access to long-term funding more difficult.

Stakeholders stated that institutions such as the Africa Finance Corporation have become more cautious in extending financing, urging telecom firms to adopt transparent and resilient business models to attract investment.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies were highlighted as a key pathway to unlocking funding, with participants describing it as a “winning play” capable of enhancing credibility and attracting sustainability-linked capital.

On his part, Convener of the forum, Jamiu Ijaodola, underscored the urgency of collective action.

“The telecom sector is at a pivotal point where collaboration is no longer a choice but a necessity. Forums like this provide an opportunity for stakeholders to align priorities, share insights, and collectively build a more secure, resilient, and future-ready digital ecosystem for Nigeria,” he said.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for an enabling regulatory environment that supports infrastructure investment, innovation, and long-term stability in line with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

However, ipNX reaffirmed its commitment to driving industry collaboration and policy advocacy, expressing optimism that with stronger partnerships and targeted reforms, the telecom sector can achieve improved resilience, enhanced service delivery, and wider digital inclusion nationwide.