Professional Study of Telecommunications Tower Structural Integrity Inspection Practices in the North East Zone

The structural integrity of telecommunications tower infrastructure is a public safety and operational reliability concern, particularly in the North East geopolitical zone where aging tower stock, extreme weather events, and historic insecurity-related maintenance neglect have compounded structural risk. This study professionally examines telecommunications tower structural integrity inspection practices across tower operator portfolios in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi States. A professional field assessment combining structured interviews with eighteen tower structural engineers and regional operations managers, review of inspection records and structural audit documentation at thirty tower sites, and physical observation of inspection processes at six sites was conducted. Findings reveal that only 34% of inspected tower sites had current structural inspection certifications within the required annual cycle. Corrosion of foundation anchor bolts was the most common structural deficiency identified, present at 47% of audited sites. Guy wire tension within specification was confirmed at only 58% of guyed mast structures. The study found that post-2019 towers generally maintained better inspection compliance than pre-2014 tower stock, reflecting improved original build quality and documentation. Recommendation include establishment of a NCC-mandated tower inspection certification register with public accessibility, requirement for third-party independent structural inspections at all sites older than ten years, mandatory structural de-rating protocols for towers with identified deficiencies, and accelerated renewal of aging tower stock in the zone. Keywords: tower structural integrity, inspection, North East Nigeria, telecommunications infrastructure, public safety.