The House of Representatives has directed chief government officers of telecommunications firms in Nigeria to look earlier than it on October 28 to elucidate the persistent decline in service high quality, warning that those that fail to conform may face arrest.
The directive was issued on Wednesday by the House Ad hoc Committee investigating the constant poor high quality of service and buyer expertise within the Nigerian telecommunications sector.
The decision adopted the adoption of two motions moved by Rep. Sunday Umeha (APC-Enugu) and Rep. Afam Ogene (NDC-Anambra), after the CEOs of MTN, MAFAB Communications and different service suppliers did not honour earlier invites to look earlier than the committee.
NCC directed to make sure telecom CEOs attend listening to
The committee directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to make sure that the CEOs of MTN, Globacom, Airtel, MAFAB and different telecommunications service suppliers seem earlier than it on October 28 on the National Assembly Complex.
The operators have been additionally directed to submit all related paperwork to the committee on or earlier than the scheduled listening to date.
- The lawmakers warned that summons for the arrest of any chief government who failed to look may very well be issued.
- The committee’s chairman, Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC-Ogun), stated telecommunications companies had persistently declined in latest instances, prompting the House to ascertain the committee to analyze the scenario.
- He stated essential sectors of the financial system, together with point-of-sale (POS) operations, additionally relied on telecommunications networks.
Osoba alleged that invited CEOs had continued to supply numerous excuses and ship lower-ranking workers to signify them as a substitute of showing earlier than the committee themselves.
Lawmakers criticise operators for ignoring invites
Rep. Ibe Osonwa (LP-Arochukwu/Ohafia) criticised telecommunications firms for producing substantial income from Nigeria whereas failing to look earlier than lawmakers to account for his or her actions.
- He stated it was unacceptable for firms working within the nation to ignore parliamentary invites looking for explanations about their actions, given the income they earn from the Nigerian market.
In his ruling, Osoba urged the NCC to make sure that telecommunications operators complied with the committee’s decision and that their chief executives appeared as directed.
Telecom service high quality stays a priority regardless of network investments
The House committee’s investigation follows earlier considerations over poor network high quality, regardless of infrastructure investments and regulatory measures geared toward enhancing service supply and defending subscribers.
A month later, Nairametrics reported that cell network operators and tower firms had invested a combined N2.5 trillion in network infrastructure in 2025 amid persevering with complaints about service high quality. The NCC stated the investments supported the addition and improve of greater than 2,800 telecommunications websites nationwide.
