Telecommunications operators in the country have rejected claims of inadequate infrastructure cited as grounds for questioning electronic transmission of results, describing the position as misleading and not reflective of current realities in the sector. The operators urged the Senate to seek verified data from the industry regulator rather than rely on what they termed half truths.
The operators, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and T2 Mobile, maintained that Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure has expanded significantly over the years and is capable of supporting electronic transmission processes.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, told Vanguard that any assessment of network coverage or infrastructure capacity must be anchored on figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission, the statutory regulator of the industry. According to him, information not emanating from the Commission cannot be considered authoritative.
Adebayo disclosed that over 70 per cent of the country is currently covered by 3G and 4G networks, while 5G coverage stands at about 11 per cent, with the remaining areas served by 2G. He noted that even 2G networks are capable of transmitting results electronically, insisting that it would be inaccurate to impose a blanket restriction on electronic transmission based on what he described as incomplete data about infrastructure and investments.
He acknowledged that security challenges in a limited number of states have affected maintenance operations, explaining that in about two insurgency affected states, operators have had to restrict access to certain facilities for safety reasons. However, he argued that such challenges require collaborative solutions among stakeholders rather than a broad conclusion that the country is unprepared for digital processes.
Adebayo’s position aligns with that of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which in 2022 dismissed concerns over network failures, stating that where connectivity issues occur, results uploaded to its iREV portal would transmit automatically once devices enter areas with coverage. The telecom operators maintained that policy decisions on electronic transmission should be guided by empirical data and current technological realities rather than generalized assumptions.