- The House of Representatives criticised the NCC over poor telecom service quality
- Lawmakers highlighted dropped calls, slow internet and high tariffs as key issues
- An ad hoc committee was set up to investigate and recommend reforms
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has criticised the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over what lawmakers described as weak regulatory oversight, blaming the agency for the persistent poor quality of telecommunications services across the country.
The lawmakers warned that the failure to enforce standards has allowed service providers to operate without sufficient accountability, resulting in unreliable connectivity that could endanger lives, particularly during emergencies.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Ahmadu Jaha, who represents Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State.
Presenting the motion, Jaha highlighted the critical role telecommunications play in Nigeria’s economy and daily life, noting that the sector underpins communication, business operations, education and overall economic growth. Despite this, he lamented a growing disconnect between subscriber expectations and the actual quality of service delivered by telecom operators.
He cited recurring issues such as dropped calls, slow internet speeds and failed message delivery as evidence of systemic inefficiencies. According to him, these challenges have led to widespread frustration among users and significant financial losses for businesses reliant on stable connectivity.
Lawmakers also expressed concern about the high cost of telecom services, arguing that tariffs for calls and data do not reflect the poor quality experienced by subscribers. Many Nigerians, they noted, pay substantial amounts for data bundles that are quickly depleted due to unstable connections and network interruptions.
Beyond connectivity challenges, the House raised alarm over ineffective customer service systems, with many subscribers reportedly unable to get timely responses to complaints. This, Jaha said, has serious implications during emergencies such as medical crises, fire outbreaks and accidents, where reliable communication is crucial.
Supporting the motion, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi accused telecom operators of prioritising profit over service improvement, while also criticising the NCC for what he described as regulatory complacency.
Nigeria’s telecom sector has expanded rapidly since liberalisation in the early 2000s, growing from fewer than one million connected lines to over 200 million active subscriptions. However, infrastructure development has lagged behind this growth. Analysts attribute the problem to insufficient base stations, unreliable power supply and high operating costs, with operators heavily dependent on diesel generators.
Additional challenges such as multiple taxation, vandalism of telecom infrastructure and right-of-way constraints have further slowed network expansion, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas.
Despite these constraints, critics maintain that the NCC has not been firm enough in enforcing its Quality of Service regulations, with penalties often viewed as inadequate to compel compliance.
In its resolution, the House called on telecom companies to invest in modern infrastructure, expand coverage—especially in underserved communities—improve customer service and adopt fair pricing models. Lawmakers also directed the NCC to enforce stricter standards and ensure accountability across 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, signalling a possible shift towards stronger oversight of the industry.