FG PRESSURES TELECOM OPERATORS TO IMPROVE NETWORK QUALITY, SERVICE DELIVERY
Read Time:2 Minute, 27 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Federal Government has intensified pressure on telecommunications operators to improve service quality across Nigeria, insisting that subscribers must begin to enjoy better connectivity and value for money.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the minister, the government has already implemented major reforms aimed at stabilising the telecom sector, adding that operators must now take concrete steps to address persistent network failures affecting millions of Nigerians.
Tijani specifically charged telecom companies including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2 to improve service delivery and resolve connectivity challenges nationwide.
He explained that the current administration inherited deep-rooted structural problems in the telecom industry caused by years of underinvestment in critical infrastructure.
According to him, the poor quality of service experienced by subscribers is largely linked to infrastructure limitations that have hindered operators from delivering efficient and reliable telecom services.
To address the challenges, Tijani said the government adopted both short-term and long-term strategies targeted at transforming Nigeria’s digital infrastructure ecosystem.
On the long-term strategy, the minister disclosed that the government had secured funding support led by the World Bank and established a framework under Project BRIDGE to expand nationwide fibre-optic infrastructure.
He added that large-scale fibre deployment and additional telecom tower rollout through NUCAP would commence before the end of the year, alongside plans to increase satellite connectivity capacity across the country.
According to Tijani, the investments are expected to bridge major infrastructure gaps within the next two to five years and significantly improve internet access, network reliability, and broadband penetration nationwide.
The minister stated that the government’s vision is to ensure Nigerians, particularly small business owners, can access stable, high-speed internet directly in their homes and workplaces rather than relying on unstable mobile networks.
He also highlighted several immediate reforms introduced by the government to strengthen the telecom industry, including tariff adjustments, the designation of telecom infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, tax harmonisation measures, and broader economic reforms.
Tijani said the reforms have created a more transparent and stable operating environment for telecom companies, many of which have now returned to profitability.
He stressed that operators now possess both the financial strength and enabling environment required to significantly improve service delivery.
The minister further revealed that the Nigerian Communications Commission has been empowered to independently monitor operators’ performance, enforce regulatory compliance, and sanction defaulting companies where necessary.
According to him, the government will increasingly rely on reports from the commission as well as complaints from consumers to hold telecom operators accountable.
Tijani expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon witness noticeable improvements in call quality, internet speed, data services, and network coverage across the country.
He warned that operators failing to meet expected service standards would face regulatory action, insisting that Nigerians deserve telecom services that reflect the value of what they pay for.
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