REPS CRITICISE NCC OVER POOR TELECOM SERVICES AND DROPPED CALLS
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By; Ganiyat Sunmola
Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Wednesday criticised the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over what lawmakers described as weak regulatory oversight, blaming the agency for the persistently poor quality of telecommunications services across the country.
The lawmakers said the regulator had failed to effectively enforce service standards that would compel operators 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 moved by Hon. Ahmadu Jaha, who stressed that telecommunications has become essential to daily life in Nigeria, supporting communication, business, education, and economic growth, yet remains plagued by poor service delivery.
Jaha noted that despite its importance, subscribers continue to face recurring challenges such as dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and failed message delivery, which he said reflect deeper systemic inefficiencies in the sector.
He also expressed concern over the high cost of data and call tariffs, arguing that it does not correspond with the quality of service provided. According to him, many Nigerians experience rapid data depletion due to unstable networks and frequent disruptions.
Beyond service quality, the lawmaker highlighted weak customer service responsiveness, saying complaints are often poorly handled or left unresolved for long periods, thereby worsening communication challenges in emergencies such as medical incidents, fire outbreaks, and accidents.
Jaha further attributed the situation to inadequate infrastructure expansion, particularly in fast-growing urban areas and underserved rural communities, where network congestion remains a persistent issue.
Supporting the motion, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi accused telecom operators of prioritising profits over service improvement, while also faulting the NCC for regulatory complacency.
Nigeria’s telecom sector has expanded significantly since liberalisation in the early 2000s, growing from fewer than one million connected lines to over 200 million active subscriptions, making it a key driver of the country’s digital economy.
However, analysts say infrastructure development has not kept pace with rising demand, citing challenges such as insufficient base stations, unreliable power supply, and high operating costs. Operators often depend on diesel generators due to poor electricity supply, increasing operational burdens.
Additional concerns include multiple taxation, vandalism of telecom infrastructure, and right-of-way restrictions, all of which have slowed network expansion, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas.
Despite periodic fines and regulatory benchmarks set by the NCC, lawmakers argued that enforcement remains inconsistent and penalties insufficient to ensure compliance. Consumer groups have also accused the regulator of failing to adequately protect subscribers in areas such as billing transparency and complaint resolution.
In its resolution, the House urged telecom operators to upgrade infrastructure, expand coverage, improve customer service, and adopt fair pricing aligned with service quality.
Lawmakers further directed the NCC to enforce stricter quality standards and ensure accountability within the sector. The House also resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the root causes of poor telecom services and recommend legislative measures for improvement.
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