Telecommunications operators in Lagos State have been given a two-day deadline to repair dangling overhead fibre-optic lines in Ikeja GRA or face regulatory sanctions. The directive was issued on Monday evening by the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA).
The agency singled out five prominent service providers—MTN, Airtel, ipNX, FibreOne, and 21st Century Technologies—instructing them to inspect, tighten, and secure their aerial infrastructure within 48 hours. The compliance window closes on Wednesday evening, and affected companies must also submit verifiable proof of completion directly to the regulator.
The move follows routine compliance inspections conducted throughout Ikeja GRA on October 13, 2026, which uncovered multiple hazardously suspended lines. Neighborhood residents have repeatedly voiced concerns regarding disorderly overhead deployments. While operators aggressively build out fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services to satisfy broadband demand, poorly anchored cables frequently snag on haulage trucks, drop onto sidewalks, or obscure drivers’ view, leading to road hazards and network disruptions.
LASIMRA stressed that failure to adhere to the order within the stipulated timeframe would result in statutory penalties and intensified enforcement under state infrastructure laws, supporting its mandate to keep Lagos orderly and safe.
This regulatory push occurs amid an industry-wide race to broaden last-mile wired broadband (FTTX/FTTH) into commercial districts and residential communities. Providers are relying on fixed-line networks to offset traffic from strained 4G and 5G cellular frequencies as data demands climb, shifting heavy activities like 4K streaming, remote employment, and cloud storage onto dedicated cables.
Industry metrics reflect this rapid adoption: fixed-line (FTTX) subscribers expanded by 29% to reach 319,735 in the second quarter of 2026, up from 241,750 in Q1. MTN FiberX spearheads the market segment with 176,468 users. Despite this recent momentum, fixed broadband still accounts for a tiny sliver of Nigeria’s 158 million total internet connections, illustrating both consumer affordability challenges and vast untapped market potential.
