**Lagos Warns ISPs Over Messy Cables and Safety Risks**

Telecommunications service providers operating within specific jurisdictions of Lagos have been issued a definitive mandate to rectify and fortify their network infrastructure, precipitated by mounting apprehensions regarding the dilapidated state of cabling and substandard installation practices.

The Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) has promulgated a directive mandating Internet Service Providers to rectify deficiencies in cable maintenance and security protocols prior to the commencement of enforcement actions.
The agency has explicitly cautioned that non-compliant providers will be subject to sanctions should they fail to adhere to these stipulations, as reported by Techpoint Africa.

What Lagos wants ISPs to fix

LASIMRA's directive targets the physical integrity of telecommunications infrastructure, mandating that internet service providers rectify the disarray of dangling fibre-optic cables, fortify precarious installations, and eliminate any equipment or cabling that impedes public thoroughfares.

The mandate encompasses ISP operations within Ilasan and Ikate in Lekki, along Allen Avenue in Ikeja, and the Customs Office district adjacent to Toyin Street in Ikeja.
This directive is strictly applicable to internet service providers functioning in these specific zones and their immediate surroundings.

On November 2, the agency released its notice, establishing November 9, 2026, as the commencement date for enforcement actions.
Consequently, service providers are afforded a limited timeframe to finalize mandatory remediation efforts prior to the initiation of oversight.LASIMRA has cautioned that non-compliant operators stand to incur sanctions, though the precise nature of these penalties remains undisclosed.

Why residents should care

For the inhabitants of Lagos, the matter extends far beyond mere aesthetics; internet cables have become an ubiquitous fixture within numerous neighborhoods, driven by the escalating demand for fibre and broadband connectivity.
Yet, when these essential lines are left dangling, entangled, or inadequately secured, they transform into a significant nuisance and give rise to latent safety hazards.

Neglected installations have the potential to impede access to roads, pedestrian walkways, and other public thoroughfares.
Compromised cabling can interrupt internet connectivity, whereas discarded or superimposed infrastructure often obscures the identity of the entity responsible for a specific line, thereby complicating maintenance and accountability.

As Nigeria's telecommunications infrastructure undergoes rapid expansion, the magnitude of this challenge is escalating.
According to data reported by ITWeb Africa, drawing from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the nation possessed approximately 110,577 kilometres of terrestrial fibre-optic cabling by December 2024; however, this aggregate figure encompasses overlapping, redundant, and decommissioned routes.

A cleaner digital environment

Lagos' directive underscores the inherent tension between broadening digital connectivity and maintaining order within public realms.
While robust internet access has become an indispensable asset for enterprises, academic institutions, remote professionals, and residential units, the proliferation of networks must never compromise the integrity of fundamental infrastructure standards.

For Internet Service Providers, the paramount imperative is to pinpoint their cable infrastructure, fortify installations, and clear obstructions within the impacted zones prior to the commencement of enforcement actions.

For residents, such initiatives may usher in streets that are both safer and more orderly, effectively eliminating cable-related impediments while fostering greater accountability in the event of telecommunications infrastructure damage.

Consequently, the November 9 deadline serves as a critical examination of Lagos's capacity to transform its warnings into decisive enforcement, thereby compelling internet service providers to uphold rigorous standards of infrastructure maintenance that match the pace of their expansion.