The Federal Government has issued a strong warning to telecommunications companies over worsening network performance across Nigeria, stressing that operators could face regulatory sanctions if service quality does not improve significantly.
The warning was delivered by Bosun Tijani, who stated that Nigerians deserve better value for the money spent on telecom services, especially amid increasing complaints about dropped calls, poor internet speed, unstable connections, and widespread service disruptions.
According to the minister, the Nigerian Communications Commission has been fully empowered to enforce industry standards and take action against operators that fail to meet expected performance levels.
He explained that the government has already implemented several reforms aimed at stabilising the telecommunications sector and improving the financial condition of operators, including tariff adjustments, tax harmonisation efforts, and policies designed to protect telecom infrastructure nationwide.
Tijani noted that telecom companies are now operating in a more stable and profitable environment, meaning there is no longer any excuse for persistent network failures and poor customer experience.
The minister specifically pointed to major operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2, insisting they must now take concrete steps to fix longstanding network issues and improve nationwide coverage and service delivery.
He also revealed that the Federal Government is investing heavily in digital infrastructure through projects backed by the World Bank, including nationwide fibre expansion under Project BRIDGE, additional telecom tower deployments through NUCAP, and improved satellite connectivity plans.
According to him, the long-term investments are expected to strengthen internet access for households and businesses, while helping to close major connectivity gaps across the country within the next few years.
Tijani further linked the reforms in the telecom sector to broader economic policies introduced by the administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, describing them as part of wider efforts to create a more sustainable business environment for operators.
The government also assured Nigerians that it would continue monitoring telecom providers through reports from the NCC and direct consumer feedback, while insisting that subscribers should begin to experience noticeable improvements in network quality and overall service delivery.
