By Andrew Haruna, Lokoja
Business activities across Kogi State have come to a grinding halt as the ongoing standoff between the state government and leading telecom operator, MTN Nigeria, enters its second week.
The prolonged shutdown of MTN services has plunged residents, business owners, and financial institutions into crisis, with economic losses now running into millions of naira. Social and commercial activities have been badly disrupted.
The impasse, believed to be rooted in unresolved disputes over levies or taxes, marks the second major fallout between the Kogi State Government and MTN in recent years.
Ripple Effect Across Other Networks and Services
Other mobile network providers who rely on MTN infrastructure for service delivery are also feeling the heat. Several subscribers have reported intermittent or completely unavailable service from other telecom companies.
“I can’t process any transaction. The network has been down for days,” lamented Grace, a PoS operator in Lokoja. “This is our daily bread. If we don’t work, we don’t eat.”
With network services paralyzed, banks are struggling to function, ATM withdrawals are almost impossible, and Point of Sale (PoS) operations have come to a near-total halt. Cash transactions are now the only viable option for most residents and business operators.
Businesses and Residents Cry Out
The disruption has led to significant hardship across the state, especially for small-scale traders, artisans, transporters, and students who depend on digital platforms for their daily needs.
“You can’t even make a simple transfer. We are now forced to demand cash for every transaction,” said an electronics shop owner in Anyigba.
So far, neither MTN nor the Kogi State Government has issued an official statement, leaving residents confused and frustrated.
A Call for Urgent Resolution
Citizens are urging both parties to resolve the dispute and restore services without delay, warning that the economic damage and emotional toll could escalate further if the situation persists.
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