Leading Nigerian telecom operators, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom, and T2 Mobile, have dismissed claims that Nigeria lacks the infrastructure for electronic transmission of election results.
Speaking to Vanguard, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), urged the Senate to rely on accurate data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) rather than issuing “half-truths” about the country’s telecom capabilities.
He highlighted that over 70% of Nigeria is covered by 3G and 4G networks, with 5G coverage at about 11%, while 2G networks remain strong enough to support electronic result transmission.
Adebayo stated, “Even in reality, 2G is strong enough to transmit results electronically. We can’t take that blanket ban on electronic transmission based on a half-truth about our infrastructure and investments.”
He acknowledged that insurgency affects infrastructure maintenance in a few states but stressed that stakeholders could collaboratively find solutions to cover these areas. According to ALTON, such challenges should not be used to argue that Nigeria is unprepared for real-time electronic election results transmission.
