Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Wednesday criticised the Nigerian Communications Commission over what lawmakers described as weak regulatory oversight, blaming the agency for the persistently poor quality of telecom services across the country. The lawmakers said the regulator had failed to effectively enforce standards that would compel service providers to deliver reliable connectivity, warning that the situation poses risks to lives and property, especially in emergencies.
“Telecommunication has become a vital part of everyday life in Nigeria. It connects families, supports businesses, enhances education, and drives economic growth. However, despite its importance, the quality of service provided by many telecom companies remains unsatisfactory,” he said.
This affects both personal communication and business operations, leading to frustration and financial losses,” Jaha added. Lawmakers also raised concerns about the mismatch between the high cost of telecom services and the quality delivered. “The House notes that the high cost of data and call tariffs does not match the quality of service delivered.
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In light of these challenges, I strongly believe that telecom companies must take urgent steps to improve their services,” he said. Supporting the motion, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi accused telecom operators of prioritising profit over service improvement, while also faulting the NCC for regulatory complacency.
“It is like these companies have made enough profits in billions, and so, they don’t care about improving the network anymore. The NCC, the regulator, has become complacent,” Ozodinobi said. 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.
Operators often rely heavily on diesel-powered generators due to unstable electricity, significantly increasing costs and limiting expansion. In addition, multiple taxation by federal, state, and local authorities has been cited by telecom companies as a barrier to infrastructure investment.
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.
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. 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.
As part of its next steps, the House resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the root causes of poor telecom service delivery and recommend further legislative action. The lawmakers said the regulator had failed to effectively enforce standards that would compel service providers to deliver reliable connectivity, warning that the situation poses risks to lives and property, especially in emergencies.