The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) started tearing down more than 7,000 Globacom masts for falling foul of maximum height regulations.

In a statement, the NCAA said a 30-day deadline served to mobile providers and other companies with unlawful structures had expired.As a result contravening assets were being removed.

The direct action follows an ultimatum served in May and subsequent reminder notifications, it added, stating it was left with no choice.

Globacom is not the only company to have masts facing the wrecking ball, with a number of financial services companies also set to lose assets. In total, authorities plan to knock down 8,805 structures deemed to “endanger the safety of air navigation” by “virtue of height or position”.

To meet regulations, companies were told to either reduce the height of their masts or apply for a Aviation Height Clearance Certificate. NCAA noted “while some of the providers and operators have since commenced regularisation of their masts, others have failed to do same.”

Globacom is the second-largest operator in Nigeria by connections, with GSMA Intelligence placing its market share at 29 per cent at end-Q1.