Nigeria: No more excuses for poor telecom services (Minister)
May 13th 2026
In Africa, the quality of digital services has become a central issue, in a context of strong dependence on mobile communications and the Internet. It now determines access to economic, social and educational opportunities, as well as user trust.
In Nigeria, telecom operators no longer have any excuse for poor service quality, according to authorities. They believe they have put in place the necessary conditions to allow companies in the sector to sustainably improve their networks and the services offered to consumers.
This was stated in a press release issued by Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, on Sunday, May 10. This statement comes amidst ongoing complaints from consumers about the services provided by operators, including dropped calls, connection failures, and slow internet speeds.
Government action carried out on two fronts
The Nigerian government claims to have focused its efforts on two complementary areas: strengthening long-term digital infrastructure and immediately stabilizing the telecommunications sector.
On the first point, the authorities indicate that they have secured funding supported by the World Bank and established the operational framework for the BRIDGE project, which aims to deploy a national open-access fiber optic network. Abuja also plans to launch, before the end of the year, the installation of new telecom towers and the strengthening of the country’s satellite capacity.
According to the government, these investments should gradually address the structural deficiencies in digital infrastructure over the next two to five years. They should also lead to a lasting improvement in connectivity nationwide.
At the same time, the government says it has taken several measures to improve and stabilize the sector’s economic environment. For example, the government has authorized tariff adjustments for operators to support their investment capacity. It has also classified telecom facilities as critical national infrastructure, while continuing its efforts to harmonize taxation.
The authorities also mention broader macroeconomic reforms, such as the liberalization of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidies, presented as measures intended to restore a more viable operating environment for companies in the sector.
Increased regulatory pressure on telecom operators
The Nigerian government believes that the reforms undertaken have restored a more stable, transparent, and market-oriented environment for operators. According to the authorities, this has contributed to the return to profitability of companies in the sector, giving them the financial resources to address network deficiencies and improve the quality of services provided to consumers.
Mr. Tijani therefore calls on operators, such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and T2, to take all necessary measures to resolve network problems and improve call quality, coverage and Internet services.
“In the future, we expect clear and measurable improvements in call quality, data performance and network coverage. When operators meet expectations, this will be recognized. Otherwise, the Commission will have to take appropriate regulatory measures,” the minister said.
He added that the government had strengthened the powers of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which is responsible for monitoring network performance, controlling compliance with quality of service standards and enforcing industry regulations.
Structural constraints that still hinder the quality of service
While Nigerian authorities believe they have laid the foundations for a sustainable improvement in the quality of telecom services, industry players point out that several structural constraints continue to affect network performance.
In a recent statement reported by the local press, the president of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, highlighted the impact of infrastructure vandalism and fuel theft on service continuity. According to him, fiber optic cable cuts frequently occur during roadworks, while diesel theft from base stations remains a recurring problem, putting a strain on the power supply to telecom sites.
He explained that in some areas, operators had opted for infrastructure sharing to cope with the high costs associated with network deployment, maintenance, and repair. However, this interconnection makes the network particularly vulnerable. A single fiber cut or incident at one site can therefore cause widespread disruptions.
Beyond physical damage, operators also face security constraints. In some areas, technical teams can no longer intervene after 6 p.m. due to insecurity and the risk of attacks, which significantly limits their ability to react in the event of a breakdown.
For industry stakeholders, these challenges extend beyond the sole responsibility of operators and require a collective approach involving the state, local authorities, and communities. They are therefore calling for strengthened protection of critical infrastructure, such as fiber optic networks and base stations.
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