The Federal Government has issued a fresh warning to major telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, and Globacom, stating that they may face service quality sanctions if they fail to improve network performance across the country, amid ongoing reforms aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has faced sustained public complaints over dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and inconsistent coverage, despite being one of the largest mobile markets in Africa. With over 180 million active subscriptions, pressure has intensified on operators to deliver reliable service in line with regulatory standards.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has in recent years increased monitoring efforts and introduced stricter enforcement frameworks, including consumer compensation measures for poor service in specific locations.
Government policy has also focused on structural reforms, including infrastructure expansion, tax harmonisation discussions, and recognition of telecom infrastructure as critical national assets to reduce disruptions caused by vandalism and construction damage.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, stated that the government has stabilised the sector through targeted reforms and expects operators to meet improved performance expectations or face service quality sanctions.
He explained that reforms have included tariff adjustments, infrastructure protection policies, and funding support for broadband expansion projects designed to close connectivity gaps nationwide. Tijani said the responsibility for delivering better services now rests with operators such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2, noting that regulatory agencies have been empowered to enforce compliance strictly.
According to him, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will continue to monitor performance and impose service quality sanctions on operators that fail to meet prescribed standards in affected areas. The minister also noted that long-term infrastructure initiatives, including fibre rollout projects and satellite expansion, are expected to improve connectivity over the next few years.
Recent industry reports show ongoing challenges, including frequent fibre cuts and network disruptions, which continue to affect service quality across urban and rural areas. Despite these challenges, regulators maintain that accountability mechanisms are now stronger, and operators are expected to invest more aggressively in network upgrades.
The warning on service quality sanctions signals a more aggressive regulatory stance that could reshape compliance expectations within Nigeria’s telecom sector.
For operators, it increases pressure to accelerate infrastructure investments and address persistent network performance gaps, particularly in underserved regions. For consumers, the move reinforces regulatory commitment to improving accountability, especially as complaints about data speed, call quality, and coverage remain widespread.
