The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has petitioned the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over a three-month internet blackout affecting Zamfara North Senatorial District, describing the situation as a “digital siege” that has crippled education, business, and social life in the region.
In an open letter addressed to the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, the NUJ Zonal Secretary (Zone A, Northwest), Abdulrazak Bello Kaura, expressed deep concern over the prolonged shutdown of internet services by major telecom operators including MTN, Airtel, and Glo without any official explanation to subscribers.
The affected areas include Birnin Magaji, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, and Zurmi local government areas, with a combined population of over 1.78 million people.
Kaura noted that the blackout has disrupted digital businesses, paralyzed academic activities in institutions such as the Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, and stifled commercial hubs like Shinkafi and Kasuwar Daji international markets.
“Zamfara North is blessed with talented and innovative youths who thrive on digital businesses and modern entrepreneurship. Cutting off internet services in such an environment has paralyzed businesses, disrupted education, and forced many young people into joblessness and migration, thereby creating fertile ground for insecurity and social unrest,” the letter read in part.
He warned that the continued denial of internet access risks compounding the state’s already fragile socio-economic and security situation, adding that idle youths could easily become vulnerable to criminal recruitment and radicalization.
Citing the Nigerian Communications Act (2003), Kaura stressed that the NCC has a clear mandate to ensure quality service delivery, protect subscribers’ rights, and resolve disputes between operators and consumers.
He argued that the silence of telecom providers and the regulatory inaction in the face of this blackout amount to a violation of service obligations.
The NUJ, through Kaura, demanded that the NCC direct all telecom providers to immediately restore internet services in Zamfara North.
The union also seeks NCC to compel operators to compensate subscribers for the prolonged blackout and enforce compliance with service quality standards, including prior notification of disruptions.
The NUJ also asked NCC to safeguard youths’ access to digital opportunities that drive education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
“Zamfara North is one of the fastest-growing regions in Nigeria. Our communities cannot afford to be left behind in the digital economy while the rest of the country advances,” Kaura stressed.
The NUJ, in the letter, appealed for “timely and decisive action” by the NCC to restore trust, safeguard the region’s future, and uphold its mandate as a people-centered regulator.
