The House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, criticised the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over weak regulatory enforcement, blaming it for the persistent poor quality of telecommunications services across Nigeria.
Lawmakers said the regulator had failed to effectively enforce quality-of-service standards, allowing operators to deliver unreliable connectivity despite rising tariffs and growing demand.
They warned that the situation is affecting critical communication, including emergency responses in medical, security, and fire situations.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ahmadu Jaha, who represents Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State.
Moving the motion, Jaha said telecom services had become essential to national life but remained poor despite sector growth.
He cited frequent dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and failed message delivery as recurring challenges affecting individuals and businesses.
He also faulted the widening gap between service quality and cost, noting that subscribers pay more for unstable connectivity.
He added that weak customer service systems leave complaints unresolved, including those linked to emergencies.
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Jaha attributed part of the problem to inadequate infrastructure, especially in urban centres and underserved rural areas where network congestion persists.
Supporting the motion, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi accused telecom operators of prioritizing profit over service improvement, while also faulting the NCC for weak enforcement.
Nigeria’s telecom sector has grown from fewer than one million active lines in the early 2000s to over 200 million subscriptions, becoming a major driver of the digital economy.
However, operators face constraints including unreliable power supply, high operating costs, diesel dependence, multiple taxation, vandalism, and right-of-way delays.
Lawmakers said regulatory enforcement remains inconsistent and ineffective in ensuring compliance.
The House urged operators to upgrade infrastructure, expand coverage, improve customer service, and align pricing with service quality.
It also directed the NCC to strengthen enforcement and ensure accountability for persistent service failures.
An ad hoc committee was constituted to investigate the causes of poor service delivery and recommend reforms.