The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stringent warning to several Nigerian telecom companies, notably Glo, concerning the illegal construction of telecom towers and masts across the country. The aviation regulatory body asserts that these structures were erected without the mandatory Aviation Height Clearance (AHC), a critical certification required for structures that could impact air navigation safety.

According to a press release from the NCAA, there are more than 7,000 telecom towers operating without the requisite AHC. This figure represents over 20% of the approximately 40,000 cell towers currently in Nigeria. Due to their significant heights, these towers fall under aviation regulation, as they can directly influence how airplanes operate and the routes they follow within a country's airspace.

Globally, telecom spectrums, by virtue of their height, are recognized as crucial elements impacting aviation. Consequently, in many nations, it is a strict requirement for telecom tower construction to comply with aviation industry standards and obtain clearance from both telecom and aviation regulators. This ensures that such structures do not endanger the safety of air navigation or interfere with flight paths.

In Nigeria, the NCAA's authority to regulate and prohibit the installation of structures that, by their height or position, could jeopardize air navigation safety is explicitly outlined in the Civil Aviation Act of 2006. Furthermore, the NCAA's regulatory code stipulates that no individual or organization shall erect any permanent or temporary structure within Nigeria's navigable airspace without possessing an Aviation Height Clearance Certificate.

The NCAA maintains that Glo and a few other telecom operators have failed to adhere to these vital regulatory standards for the identified 7,000 towers. While many telecommunications providers have generally shown compliance by obtaining the necessary height clearance, these specific defaulters remain. The NCAA emphasized that it had previously engaged with the erring telcos through letters and meetings to address these violations. In the absence of compliance, the authority is prepared to exercise all available powers, including the forceful demolition of these structures, following a 30-day notice. This could potentially lead to a temporary disruption of telecom services in affected regions. The aviation body awaits a response from the implicated telecom companies before proceeding with further action.