Operators reported 656 stolen generators and battery systems in 2025. The estimated generator value alone is about ₦2.3 billion, before batteries and other equipment.
Nigerian telecom operators reported widespread theft of power equipment at base stations in 2025. A Lagos-based consultant estimated generator losses alone at about ₦2.3 billion.
According to figures cited in Techpoint Digest, telecom operators recorded 656 stolen generators and battery systems in 2025.
Adewale Adeoye, a Lagos-based consultant, said the typical unit stolen is a 15kVA generator, meaning a generator that can supply up to 15 kilovolt-amperes of power, roughly a mid-sized backup unit for a tower site. He estimated each one costs about ₦3.5 million.
Using that estimate, the value of stolen generators comes to roughly ₦2.3 billion across hundreds of sites. The estimate does not include the cost of stolen batteries and other equipment.
Generators are a key part of telecom infrastructure in Nigeria because grid power is unreliable in many areas. When a generator is removed, a base station can go offline, which can mean dropped calls, slower data speeds, and patchy coverage.
The theft adds to a cost stack telcos already face, including diesel prices, foreign exchange pressure for imported equipment, and ongoing network expansion. Even when a tower is restored, operators may need to spend more on replacement hardware and security.
If losses continue, operators may try to recover costs through higher prices or reduced investment in network upgrades. But tariffs are regulated and do not always move quickly, so customers may feel the impact first as service quality declines.
The story is also a reminder that network performance is not only about spectrum and software. Physical infrastructure and site security can be a major bottleneck.
Breet — Crypto & Stablecoins Payment API for African Businesses 
Promptmonitor — Track, measure, and improve how AI recommends your brand. 
Promptmonitor