The Federal Government has stepped up pressure on telecommunications companies to improve network performance across the country, insisting that Nigerians deserve reliable services that match the money they spend on calls and internet subscriptions.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the government had already introduced reforms aimed at stabilising the telecom industry and creating a better operating environment for service providers.
In a statement released on Sunday, the minister said operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and T2 must now take concrete steps to resolve persistent network failures affecting millions of subscribers nationwide.
“It is now the responsibility of telecom operators such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2 to take all necessary steps to resolve network challenges and deliver the level of service Nigerians expect,” Tijani stated.
The minister explained that the present administration inherited deep-rooted structural problems within the telecommunications sector, largely due to years of underinvestment in critical infrastructure.
According to him, many of the connectivity challenges and service disruptions experienced by users were linked to inadequate infrastructure, which has limited operators’ ability to provide efficient and stable telecom services across the country.
To address the situation, the Federal Government, he said, adopted a combination of immediate and long-term measures designed to transform Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and improve nationwide connectivity.
Speaking on the long-term strategy, Tijani disclosed that the government had secured financial backing led by the World Bank and also established a framework under Project BRIDGE to expand fibre-optic infrastructure across the country.
“We have secured funding, led by the World Bank, and established the framework for a special purpose vehicle with Project BRIDGE, to deliver nationwide open access fibre infrastructure,” he said.
He also revealed that fibre deployment projects, alongside the rollout of additional telecom towers under NUCAP, would commence before the end of the year.
The government is also planning to increase satellite connectivity capacity as part of efforts to improve internet access in underserved areas.
Tijani noted that the investments are expected to bridge major infrastructure gaps within the next two to five years and significantly improve internet reliability, data services and network coverage across Nigeria.
Explaining the administration’s vision for the telecom sector, the minister said the goal is to ensure that Nigerians can enjoy stable and high-speed internet services in homes, offices and business centres without relying solely on unstable mobile connections.
“A small business owner should be able to access reliable, high-speed fibre internet directly at their home or shop, not rely solely on dongles or unstable mobile connections,” he added.
The minister also highlighted some of the short-term reforms introduced by the government to strengthen the sector.
These include tariff adjustments, the designation of telecom infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, tax harmonisation policies and broader economic reforms.
According to him, the reforms have helped create a more transparent and stable business environment for telecom operators, many of whom have now returned to profitability.
“They are now operating in a more stable, transparent, and market-driven environment and have returned to profitability,” Tijani said.
He maintained that operators now possess both the financial strength and operational support required to improve service delivery and meet the expectations of subscribers.
Tijani further disclosed that the Nigerian Communications Commission had been empowered to independently monitor service quality, enforce compliance and sanction operators that fail to meet regulatory standards.
The minister said the government would increasingly rely on reports from the Commission as well as complaints from consumers to hold telecom companies accountable in the coming months.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians would soon witness noticeable improvements in call quality, internet speed and network coverage nationwide.
“Where operators deliver, it will be recognised, and where they do not, the Commission is expected to take appropriate regulatory action,” he warned.
Tijani insisted that subscribers deserve quality telecom services that reflect the amount they pay for voice and data services.
“Nigerians should begin to see improvements in Quality of Service and get value that they paid for now, and in the future. And we will ensure that the sector delivers,” the minister added.
