Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), told telecom operators on Friday that they must deliver a dependable network experience and act immediately to restore services whenever outages occur. Speaking at the launch of the Airtel Open Network, he emphasized that subscribers should be able to view coverage maps, locate mobile towers and report signal problems directly through the platform.
What is the Airtel Open Network?
The new portal allows users to check real‑time network coverage, identify nearby towers and lodge complaints about signal issues. It is intended to bridge the gap between operators and customers, giving the public clearer insight into service performance.
Why is the regulator intervening now?
The NCC highlighted that, as data demand rises alongside the growing number of connected lines in Nigeria, operators must anticipate expansion needs and reinforce network reliability. Maida urged firms to be accountable for every outage, providing transparent information and responsive customer care so that Nigerians understand what is happening and receive timely assistance.
> “When services work, people simply get on with their lives. But when they > fail, that’s when we realise the importance of connectivity,” Maida said.
He added that digital services are essential for business, education and personal communication, and therefore consumers deserve networks they can rely on. “Transparency should help consumers understand the service available to them, report problems, and see what actions follow. To achieve this, network information must be accurate, understandable, and kept up to date,” he explained.
How many complaints have been recorded?
Between April and September 2026, the four major operators—MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2 Mobile—received more than 214,000 complaints concerning poor network quality, ranging from dropped voice calls to sluggish internet speeds.
What action is the legislature taking?
The House of Representatives has summoned the CEOs of MTN, Airtel, Globacom and other providers to appear before its committee on 4 November. They are expected to explain the causes of dropped calls, slow data, failed airtime transactions and inadequate coverage in several Nigerian communities.
Is investment keeping pace with demand?
Telecoms are capital‑intensive, and Maida stressed that operators must match rising subscriber numbers with commensurate spending. In the first half of 2026, MTN Nigeria reportedly invested ₦620.5 billion in capital expenditure, while Airtel disclosed a spend of ₦287.6 billion (about $211 million) on 4G/5G tower deployment and related upgrades.
He warned that spending must translate into visible improvements for users. “Consumers should be able to distinguish between the infrastructure already provided, work underway, and deployments planned for the near future,” Maida said, adding that the mere presence of a nearby tower does not guarantee a satisfactory connection.
What is the NCC doing to monitor performance?
The regulator announced that it is enhancing oversight through independent, crowdsourced measurements of network experience, complementing its existing monitoring systems. “We are also making more performance information available to the public to support informed consumer choice and help identify areas requiring improvement,” Maida concluded.
The push for better service comes amid growing public frustration over network quality, and the regulator’s statements signal a firmer stance on accountability and investment in Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure.