Abstract
Since the liberalisation of the sector in 2001, Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has experienced substantial growth, reaching over 175 million subscribers and contributing approximately ₦7.47 trillion to GDP in 2025. The sector plays a pivotal role in the country’s ambition to achieve a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030. However, rapid expansion has generated significant sustainability challenges. These include heavy diesel dependence to power an estimated 40,000–50,000 base stations, frequent fibre optic cuts (accounting for approximately 52% of outages in mid-2025), informal electronic waste management practices, rising operational costs, a persistent rural digital divide, and increasing vulnerability to vandalism and theft of renewable energy infrastructure. This paper examines the sustainability challenges facing major telecommunications operators, including MTN and Airtel, and analyses the strategies being adopted to address these issues. The study employs a structured literature review drawing on recent industry reports, policy documents, and academic research. By synthesising both practice-based evidence and scholarly analysis, the paper identifies key drivers, constraints, and emerging pathways for embedding sustainable solutions within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.