Nigeria’s Telecom Sector Faces Potential Shutdown as Workers Strike

By Our Correspondent

Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is on the verge of a significant disruption as workers under the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association (PTECSSAN) have commenced an industrial strike. This development, announced on Monday, is expected to cause widespread service outages across the country, affecting millions of subscribers.

Okonu Abdullahi, the union’s Secretary-General, confirmed the strike, citing deteriorating working conditions, unfair dismissal of employees, and the refusal of employers to recognize the union. The strike involves over 800 workers employed by major telecom companies, including IHS and Huawei.

“The strike has become inevitable due to the harsh working conditions our members are enduring,” Abdullahi said in a formal statement. “Employers have refused to recognize their right to unionize and have unfairly dismissed three union members. Our demands include reinstatement of these workers, improved working conditions, and the remittance of union dues.”

PTECSSAN issued a seven-day notice prior to the strike, warning of severe consequences if their demands were not addressed. “We have instructed our members not to respond to any service outages,” Abdullahi added. “Outages happen daily, and without our engineers, subscribers in affected areas will experience major disruptions.”

In response, Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), distanced the group from the union and its activities. “This group is not known to us in ALTON, and the companies mentioned are not our members,” Adebayo stated, dismissing any affiliation with the union.

With telecom services integral to Nigeria’s daily life and economy, the strike could have a substantial impact, leaving subscribers to face prolonged service interruptions in the days ahead. It remains to be seen how negotiations between the union and employers will unfold, but the potential for a prolonged shutdown looms over the country’s telecom sector.