ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Wednesday faulted the Nigerian Communications Commission over what lawmakers described as weak regulatory oversight, blaming the agency for the continued poor quality of telecom services nationwide.
The lawmakers said the regulator had not effectively enforced standards that would compel service providers to deliver reliable connectivity, warning that the situation poses risks to lives and property, particularly during emergencies.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ahmadu Jaha, representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State.
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Speaking on the motion, Jaha highlighted the critical role telecommunications play in Nigeria’s economy and daily life, while lamenting the growing gap between subscriber expectations and actual service delivery.
“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.
He pointed to recurring challenges such as dropped calls, slow data speeds, and failed message delivery as signs of systemic inefficiencies in the sector.
“The House is concerned that poor network connectivity is a major issue. Subscribers frequently experience dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and difficulty sending messages. This affects both personal communication and business operations, leading to frustration and financial losses,” Jaha added.
Lawmakers also expressed concern over the disparity 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. Nigerians often pay significant amounts for data bundles that are quickly exhausted due to unstable connections and network interruptions,” he said.
Beyond network challenges, Jaha highlighted what he described as a failure in customer service systems, noting that subscribers often face delays in getting responses or resolving complaints.
He stated, “Many subscribers find it difficult to get timely responses to complaints, and issues are often left unresolved for long periods, thereby affecting emergency communications in dire situations like fire outbreaks, medical situations, vehicular situations and the needed responses.”
He further attributed part of the problem to insufficient infrastructure expansion, especially in fast-growing urban areas and underserved rural communities.
Network congestion during peak periods and in densely populated locations shows that infrastructure development has not kept pace with the increasing number of users. 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 profits over service improvement, while also criticising 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 recorded rapid expansion since liberalisation in the early 2000s, growing from fewer than one million connected lines to over 200 million active subscriptions.
This growth, driven by private investment and increased mobile penetration, has made telecommunications a key pillar of the country’s digital economy.
However, infrastructure development has lagged behind subscriber growth. Industry analysts have long identified insufficient base stations, unreliable power supply, and high operating costs as major constraints affecting service quality.
Operators often depend on diesel-powered generators due to unstable electricity, significantly raising costs and limiting expansion.
Additionally, 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-prone areas.
Despite these challenges, critics argue that the NCC has not been firm enough in enforcing its Quality of Service regulations.
While the commission occasionally imposes fines and sets benchmarks for operators, enforcement has been inconsistent, and penalties are often viewed as insufficient to drive meaningful compliance.
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.
In its resolution, the House called on telecom operators 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 a follow-up, the House resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the underlying causes of poor telecom service delivery and recommend further legislative measures.