The Lagos State Government has given Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other telecommunications operators five days to clean up poorly maintained network infrastructure across selected parts of the state or risk regulatory sanctions.
The directive was issued by the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) in a public notice dated November 2, 2026, and signed by its General Manager, Prince Oyekanmi Elegushi.
According to the agency, affected operators must immediately inspect, rearrange and secure their overhead and underground telecommunications installations, particularly dangling cables, sagging fibre-optic wires and other poorly maintained equipment that obstruct public spaces or create environmental hazards.
The directive specifically covers Ilasan and Ikate in Lekki, Allen Avenue in Ikeja, and the Customs Office area off Toyin Street, also in Ikeja.
LASIMRA warned that enforcement operations will commence on Monday, November 9. Operators that fail to complete the required maintenance before then could face statutory sanctions, including the removal or confiscation of non-compliant infrastructure and administrative penalties.
Areas affected by the Lagos telecom cable cleanup
The latest directive targets locations where poorly arranged telecommunications infrastructure has become a growing concern for residents, businesses and road users.
The affected areas include:
- Ilasan and Ikate: Neighbourhoods in the Lekki area.
- Allen Avenue: A major commercial and residential road in Ikeja.
- Customs Office area: The vicinity off Toyin Street, Ikeja.
LASIMRA has instructed internet service providers operating within and around these locations to ensure their network installations are properly arranged, secured and free from obstructions.
The agency also expects operators to address environmental nuisances caused by abandoned or poorly installed cables.
Residents and businesses in the affected neighbourhoods may notice telecom technicians carrying out inspection and maintenance work ahead of the enforcement deadline.
Operators risk sanctions if they miss the November 9 deadline
With just five days remaining, LASIMRA has made it clear that the cleanup directive is mandatory.
Affected companies are expected to complete the necessary corrective work before enforcement begins on November 9.
Operators that fail to comply could face statutory penalties and other enforcement measures, potentially including the removal or confiscation of non-compliant infrastructure.
The agency is urging all affected providers to cooperate and take immediate steps to bring their installations in line with its requirements.
Lagos intensifies efforts to address dangerous telecom cables
The latest directive is part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to address the growing problem of poorly installed telecommunications infrastructure across the state.
In October, LASIMRA issued a separate 48-hour ultimatum to five major telecommunications operators: MTN, Airtel, ipNX, FibreOne and 21st Century Technologies.
The companies were directed to inspect, tighten and secure sagging overhead fibre-optic cables identified in parts of Ikeja GRA.
The agency warned that failure to address the identified issues could attract regulatory penalties.
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These repeated directives highlight the state’s increasing focus on how telecommunications companies deploy and maintain their network infrastructure.
Why poorly maintained fibre-optic cables are a growing concern
As internet service providers expand their fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks to reach more homes and businesses, overhead and underground fibre-optic installations continue to increase across Lagos.
However, the expansion has also brought concerns about how some of these cables are installed and maintained.
Dangling wires can obstruct pedestrian walkways, while cables hanging too low across roads may get caught by delivery trucks and other tall vehicles. Damaged or abandoned installations can also create safety hazards and contribute to network disruptions.
Beyond the physical risks, poorly arranged cables affect the appearance of neighbourhoods and make it difficult to identify which operators are responsible for maintaining particular installations.
For Lagos, the challenge is not simply expanding internet access but ensuring that the infrastructure supporting that expansion is properly managed.
With enforcement scheduled to begin on November 9, affected internet service providers have just five days to address the identified problems.
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Whether the latest directive will result in lasting improvements across these neighbourhoods will depend on how consistently the state enforces its regulations and how seriously operators take their infrastructure maintenance responsibilities.
What do you think about the growing problem of poorly maintained internet cables across Lagos? Should telecom operators face stricter penalties for failing to maintain their infrastructure? Share your thoughts in the comments.
