Telecom
MTN Dismisses Data Theft Claims, Blames Network Challenges on Fibre Cuts, Vandalism
MTN Nigeria has dismissed allegations of internet data theft on its network, attributing rapid data depletion to users’ online activities and device configurations, while also blaming persistent network quality challenges on fibre cuts, vandalism, power failures and congestion.
MTN
The telecommunications company made the clarifications during an engagement with journalists and content creators in Lagos, where its engineers and technology experts addressed concerns about data consumption, billing practices and service quality.
Speaking at the session, MTN Nigeria’s Senior Manager for Core Network Implementation, Mr. Michael Ndukwe, said many subscribers misunderstand how internet data is consumed, particularly with the increasing adoption of 4G and 5G technologies.
“We usually hear the concern that MTN is stealing my data. I’m here to take you step by step through exactly how your data is used,” he said.
Ndukwe explained that data is not consumed when a mobile device merely connects to the network or undergoes authentication processes.
According to him, significant data usage only begins when users actively request online content such as videos, downloads or web pages.
He said the network first verifies that a subscriber is registered, has an active data bundle and is authorised to access internet services before establishing a session.
“Data is not taken from you without your action. When you stream, scroll, download or share, you are using data. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
Ndukwe noted that many subscribers compare current data consumption patterns with experiences on older 2G and 3G networks without considering the impact of faster technologies.
He explained that 4G and 5G networks are designed to support richer content and improved user experiences, resulting in higher data usage.
According to him, video streaming remains one of the biggest drivers of data consumption.
He said a 15-second TikTok video viewed in standard definition could consume between two and three megabytes of data, while the same clip watched in high definition could use up to 15 megabytes.
Ndukwe also identified auto-play features on social media platforms, hotspot sharing, cloud backups, software updates and connected devices as factors responsible for rapid depletion of data bundles.
“Even before you click a video, they keep changing. Those apps are already downloading content in the background so that there is no buffering,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. David Ogunshola of MTN’s Information Technology team said discrepancies between data usage records displayed on customer devices and those recorded by the network were normal.
According to him, devices typically track application-level usage, while network systems record the entire data session, including signalling and connectivity processes.
“The more sophisticated the device, the more it is optimised for quality. If you do not adjust those configurations, the device will always try to give you the best possible experience, and that comes with higher data usage,” Ogunshola said.
On service quality concerns, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Mr. Yahaya Ibrahim, attributed network disruptions to a combination of infrastructure challenges and environmental factors.
He explained that MTN’s network operates through interconnected layers, from base stations serving customers to transmission links and core network facilities that route traffic to the internet.
“Today, if you switch on your phone, your phone will try to locate the nearest station to it. And the station that has the best power to give you the best signal, your phone will latch on to that,” he said.
Ibrahim said network quality often deteriorates when sites become congested, experience power outages, run out of diesel or suffer equipment failures.
He identified fibre cuts, vandalism, sabotage and road construction activities as some of the major threats to network infrastructure.
“As we speak, we are having at least 35 to 40 fibre cuts a day because of our environment.
“Road construction, vandalisation, sabotage, these are things that really impact us,” he said.
The CTO disclosed that MTN recorded an average of two vandalised sites daily in 2025, with a total of 152 sites affected during the period.
According to him, generators, solar power systems, batteries and other critical telecommunications equipment were among assets targeted by vandals.
He explained that damage to a fibre route or hub site could disrupt connectivity across multiple communities because many network locations rely on shared transmission infrastructure.
Ibrahim said MTN had deployed personnel nationwide to patrol and monitor its facilities in an effort to reduce vandalism and protect network assets.
He urged Nigerians to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure, noting that attacks on such facilities affected entire communities and businesses that depend on reliable connectivity.
The MTN officials reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transparency in data billing and continued investment in network infrastructure to improve customer experience.
They said subscribers could also utilise tools such as the MyMTN application, data usage alerts and data management settings to monitor and control their consumption.
MTN has faced increasing complaints from customers over rapid data depletion, dropped calls, slow internet speeds and unstable connectivity, but the company insists that user behaviour, device settings and infrastructure-related challenges account for most of the concerns.
Airtel Nigeria has strengthened its nationwide retail and distribution network as part of its continued investment in enhancing service delivery and making telecommunications and digital services more accessible to millions of Nigerians.
The company’s retail ecosystem comprises more than 4,000 exclusive Airtel shops and over 200,000 retail touch-points nationwide, including partner stores, channel partners and neighborhood agents. This network ensures that subscribers can conveniently easily access SIM registration, device purchases, airtime and data recharge, customer support and other digital solutions.
Commenting on the company’s retail distribution strategy, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO, Airtel Nigeria, said,
“Telecommunications goes beyond the physical infrastructure, it is important that we are able to reach people where they live and work. That is why we continue to invest in a strong retail and distribution ecosystem that enables us to bring Airtel closer to our customers while delivering a consistent, high-quality experience wherever they are.”
According to Joypratip Sengupta, Director, Sales and Distribution, Airtel Nigeria, the company’s distribution network plays a vital role in ensuring seamless service delivery.
“Our retail network is designed to ensure that our services reach customers efficiently. It is a combination of efficient logistic systems, strong partnerships and local engagement that enables us to consistently meet the needs of our customers across the country,” he said.
The strengthened distribution strategy complements the company’s ongoing investments in network infrastructure and digital innovation, recognising that customer proximity remains a critical driver of service excellence and digital inclusion.
In addition to improving customer access, Airtel’s extensive retail ecosystem continues to create economic opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs, distributors, retailers and small business owners who form an integral part of the company’s value chain.
As demand for accessible, interconnected digital services continues to grow across Nigeria, Airtel remains committed to investing in improving its service delivery and ensuring that every subscriber enjoys quality service.
Kaspersky’s latest global survey shows a change in how people go online: 60% of survey participants from the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region now claim their smartphone is the main device they use to access the Internet, pushing the PC into a secondary role.
But as the amount and sensitivity of data stored on these phones keep growing, cybersecurity experts warn that users’ security habits aren’t keeping up.
According to the survey* 60% of respondents from the META region consider a smartphone their primary device for accessing the Internet. The most active smartphone users are representatives of Gen Z, with 67% of all global respondents aged 18-28 choosing a mobile phone as their main device.
With mobiles as the full-fledged rivals of computers in accessing the Internet, the amount of important data stored on them has also increased significantly. Personal photos and videos are leading the pack. 60% of users in the META region store visual memories on their devices. Close behind are contact details (51%), text messages and chats history (45%) and important personal documents such as IDs and passports (43%).
At the same time, a substantial portion of users in the META region keep work‑related data on their smartphones (37% emails, 22% calendars and 17% even store access to corporate systems), blurring the line between personal and professional realms.
Financial credentials and login details appear on 40% of devices, while emerging categories like AI chat histories (30%) and gaming accounts (26%) signal new types of personal data stored on personal devices.
“Now our smartphones serve as full‑featured assistants that touch every aspect of our lives. The data we entrust to them goes far beyond photos, phone numbers or text messages. Consequently, the main question is no longer “what we store,” but “how we protect it,” requiring security to become as integral to the device as the data it carries,” comments Anton Kivva, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.
Three keys to mobile data security
To help users navigate this new digital reality safely, Kaspersky experts have issued a three-step security plan:
- No data should live on your phone only
A smartphone should never be the sole repository for any type of information. While having everything at your fingertips is convenient, accidental deletions, loss or hardware failure can make recovery impossible without reliable backups or cloud sync.
The most sensitive data like passwords, ID or financial details requires special attention and preferably be kept in a protected format. Use a dedicated security solution like Kaspersky Password Manager, which apart from securely keeping credentials and bank cards, has a special secret vault functionality aimed at storing important documents, for example, scanned Passports/IDs and PDF files, addresses and notes. Thanks to the cross-device synchronisation it allows access to the data from any gadget.
- Create a guard against digital threats
In Q1 2026 only, more than 2.67 million attacks utilising malware, adware or unwanted mobile software were prevented and more than 306,000 malicious installation packages were discovered.
Mobile devices require the same cyber protection as PCs. Kaspersky experts recommend cybersecurity solutions such as Kaspersky Premium that provide comprehensive protection – starting with scanning apps for potential threats upon installation, and using AI‑driven features to block malicious and phishing links in real time and prevent data or money losses, among many other security layers.
- The “what if” scenario planning
Phone loss always occurs unexpectedly, but a few proactive steps can dramatically reduce its impact:
Turn on location services. Both Android and iOS include built-in tools that can locate a lost phone and, if needed, wipe its data remotely. Kaspersky for Android app activates this capability through the Where Is My Device feature.
- Enable automatic backups.Regular backups ensure that photos, videos, documents, contacts and other vital data can be restored even if the device is lost or stolen.
- Configure instant auto‑lock.Setting the phone to lock immediately after the screen turns off keeps it inaccessible to thieves or cyber‑criminals when you’re not using it.
- Keep the device physically safe.In public spaces, never leave your phone unattended or within easy reach, avoid placing it on tables, in back pockets or any other vulnerable spot.
“We often underestimate how much valuable information we keep on our mobile devices and how vulnerable that data truly is. Ask yourself: When was the last time I backed up my photos or notes? What’s my plan if my phone goes missing? Do I verify links before I click them? While most users automatically think of security software for their computers, phones lag behind. It’s time to give your everyday digital companion the same robust cyber‑protection it deserves,” adds Anton Kivva, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.
Nigeria will host telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital economy ministers from across Africa for the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26), scheduled for July 23 to July 24 in Abuja.
The conference, the highest decision-making body of the ATU, is expected to bring together ministers, regulators, industry leaders, development partners and other stakeholders from the Union’s 52 member states to deliberate on Africa’s digital and telecommunications agenda for the next four years.
A statement by the organisers said delegates would adopt the Union’s strategic direction, approve its 2027–2031 budget and work programme, elect a new Secretary-General and determine the composition of the Administrative Council.
The conference will also harmonise Africa’s common positions ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled to hold later this year in Doha, Qatar.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, described the conference as a significant milestone for Africa’s digital future.
“Nigeria is honoured to host the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries at a defining moment for Africa’s digital future.
“As countries across the continent accelerate digital transformation, it is increasingly important to strengthen regional cooperation, develop common positions on emerging technologies, and create enabling environments that attract investment, build digital talent and expand meaningful connectivity.
“Our role as host reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to building an innovation-driven economy while strengthening African cooperation on digital infrastructure, technology governance, skills development and investment,” he said.
One of the major highlights of the conference will be a ministerial dialogue on “Achieving Africa’s Meaningful Connectivity,” jointly organised by the ATU and the GSMA.
The dialogue will explore practical strategies for expanding affordable, reliable and quality connectivity across the continent, with emphasis on infrastructure investment, service quality, affordability and ensuring that digital access delivers tangible economic and social benefits.
Also speaking ahead of the conference, the Secretary-General of the ATU, Mr John Omo, said the meeting would provide member states with an opportunity to strengthen the Union’s capacity to drive Africa’s digital ambitions.
He said the decisions to be taken in Abuja would shape the ATU’s ability to support national priorities, sustain Africa’s participation in global telecommunications forums and respond effectively to emerging technological developments over the next four years.
The conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Abuja Declaration, which will provide governments, regulators, industry stakeholders and development partners with a common framework for advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the organisers, hosting the conference underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional collaboration and reinforces the country’s growing leadership in digital policy, technology governance and investment promotion across Africa.
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