Lawmakers condemn telecoms regulator for failing to address ongoing subpar network quality and frequent call disconnections

Nigeria's House of Representatives has criticized the Nigerian Communications Commission, citing weak regulatory oversight as the reason for the persistently poor quality of telecom services across the country, with lawmakers warning that the situation poses risks to lives and property, especially in emergencies.

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The criticism came after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Ahmadu Jaha, who represents Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State, highlighting the central role telecommunications now play in Nigeria's economy and daily life.

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Jaha lamented the widening gap between subscriber expectations and actual service delivery, stating that telecommunication has become a vital part of everyday life in Nigeria, connecting families, supporting businesses, enhancing education, and driving economic growth.

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He pointed to recurring issues such as dropped calls, poor data speeds, and failed message delivery as evidence of systemic inefficiencies within the sector, affecting both personal communication and business operations, leading to frustration and financial losses.

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Lawmakers also raised concerns about the mismatch between the high cost of telecom services and the quality delivered, with Jaha noting that the high cost of data and call tariffs does not match the quality of service delivered.

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Nigerians often pay significant amounts for data bundles that are quickly exhausted due to unstable connections and network interruptions, according to Jaha, who also highlighted a breakdown in customer service systems.

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Subscribers often struggle to get timely responses or resolutions to complaints, Jaha said, stating that many subscribers find it difficult to get timely responses to complaints, and issues are often left unresolved for long periods.

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Jaha attributed part of the problem to inadequate infrastructure expansion, especially in rapidly growing urban centres and underserved rural communities, noting that network congestion during peak hours and in densely populated areas shows that infrastructure development has not kept pace with the growing number of users.

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Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi supported the motion, accusing telecom operators of prioritising profit over service improvement, while also faulting the NCC for regulatory complacency, saying that the regulator has become complacent.

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Nigeria's telecom sector has experienced rapid growth since liberalisation in the early 2000s, expanding from fewer than one million connected lines to over 200 million active subscriptions, driven by private investment and increased mobile penetration.

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However, infrastructure development has not kept pace with subscriber growth, with industry analysts pointing to insufficient base stations, unreliable power supply, and high operating costs as major constraints affecting service quality.

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Operators often rely heavily on diesel-powered generators due to unstable electricity, significantly increasing costs and limiting expansion, while multiple taxation by federal, state and local authorities has been cited by telecom companies as a barrier to infrastructure investment.

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Vandalism of telecom equipment and right-of-way challenges have also slowed network expansion, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas, despite these challenges, critics argue that the NCC has not been firm enough in enforcing its Quality of Service regulations.

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Consumer advocacy groups have also accused the regulator of failing to adequately protect subscribers, particularly in areas such as billing transparency, complaint resolution, and service reliability, with the NCC periodically issuing fines and setting benchmarks for operators.

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The House, in its resolution, called on telecom companies to invest in modern infrastructure, expand coverage, especially in rural communities, improve customer service systems, and adopt fair pricing that reflects service quality.

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Lawmakers also directed the NCC to enforce stricter quality standards and hold service providers accountable, signalling a possible shift toward stronger legislative oversight of the sector, with the House resolving to constitute an ad-hoc committee to investigate the root causes of poor telecom service delivery.

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The committee will recommend further legislative action, marking the next steps in the House's efforts to address the persistently poor quality of telecom services in Nigeria.