NCC Announces When MTN, Airtel, Others Will Improve Services in Nigeria Amid $1bn Investment

NCC Announces When MTN, Airtel, Others Will Improve Services in Nigeria Amid $1bn Investment

  • The NCC says telephone service quality in Nigeria is expected to improve following the arrival of over $1 billion worth of new telecom equipment
  • NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, explained that the investment, driven by regulatory reforms, will fund network upgrades
  • He added that the investments will gradually translate into better services and keep Nigeria competitive as the world moves toward 6G

Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology, Banking and the Economy.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has disclosed that noticeable improvements in telephone service quality are expected within the next six to nine months.

He explained that this projection is linked to the arrival of over $1 billion worth of new equipment, which telecom operators began receiving in June to enhance network infrastructure across the country.

NCC announces when telecom service in Nigeria will improve amid $1bn investment
NCC Announces When MTN, Airtel, Others Will Improve Services in Nigeria Amid $1bn Investment
Source: UGC

Telecom sector receives $1bn investment

Read also

President Tinubu permanently removes controversial 5% telecom Tax in Nigeria

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, Maida highlighted that the fresh investments were made possible through regulatory reforms, which have stimulated network expansion and upgrades.

The funds, he said, will support the upgrade of existing base stations, the rollout of new sites, and the extension of fibre optic networks, starting with the North Central region.

Maida said:

“Not sure of the three months of service improvements pledged by telcos based on the tariff adjustments but what we see is that service should improve in about six to nine months. There is already a $1 billion equipment investments. Operators have started taking in these orders since June. Telephone service quality will improve.”

Recall that Maida had earlier promised the launch of a new Quality of Experience (QoE) portal, a public platform that enables Nigerians to monitor mobile network performance.

Fibre cuts, vandalism, others affect service quality

Read also

FG Rolls Out 1.3 million free prepaid metres for Band A customers, warns against fraud

While acknowledging the 50% tariff increase approved in January 2025, Maida noted that challenges such as fibre cuts, vandalism, theft of power equipment, site closures, and multiple taxation continue to affect service quality.

He described fibre cuts as a major threat, recalling that operators recently recorded an average of 1,100 incidents daily, in addition to over 500 access denials and nearly 100 theft cases.

To address this, the NCC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministries of Works and Environment to improve coordination with construction companies.

A digital platform is also being introduced to allow ministries to notify operators ahead of road works and other projects that may disrupt telecom services.

Maida emphasised that although the benefits of these investments will not be immediate, significant progress should be visible within nine months.

He further stressed the urgency for Nigeria to accelerate its telecom development, warning that the global shift towards 6G is already underway.

Read also

NCC set to launch ‘quality of experience’ portal to improve telecom services nationwide

NCC responds to data depletion concerns

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that the NCC dismissed allegations by subscribers that mobile networks in the country were depleting data bundles faster than expected.

Some customers had accused telecom operators of slashing the value of data plans, leaving them with less usage than what was paid for.

In a statement, the commission explained that a comprehensive audit conducted in the third quarter of 2024 showed no evidence to support these complaints.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Victor Enengedi avatar

Victor Enengedi (Business HOD) Victor Enengedi is a trained journalist with over a decade of experience in both print and online media platforms. He holds a degree in History and Diplomatic Studies from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State. An AFP-certified journalist, he functions as the Head of the Business Desk at Legit. He has also worked as Head of Editorial Operations at Nairametrics. He can be reached via victor.enengedi@corp.legit.ng and +2348063274521.

Page was generated in 1.7187449932098