The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy has announced sweeping measures to tackle Nigeria's long-standing telecom service challenges, combining structural reforms with immediate stabilization efforts.
Minister's Directive to Operators
The ministry called on telecom operators in the country to up their games and ensure subscribers get the best of telephone services, stressing they must take all necessary steps to resolve network challenges and deliver the level of service Nigerians expect.
The Supervising Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani, who stated this in a notice posted on X, Sunday, revealed that the government has secured World Bank-led funding to launch Project BRIDGE, a nationwide open-access fibre infrastructure initiative.
Long-Term Infrastructure Plans
Fibre deployment and new tower rollouts under NUCAP are expected to begin before year's end, alongside expanded satellite capability. These investments, he said, will permanently transform connectivity across Nigeria within two to five years.
"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," Tijani stated.
Short-Term Reforms
On the short-term front, the government has introduced reforms to stabilize the sector, including tariff adjustments, tax harmonization, and the designation of telecom infrastructure as critical national assets.
Broader macroeconomic reforms, such as the floating of the naira and removal of fuel subsidies, have also created a more transparent, market-driven environment for operators. As a result, major telecom providers including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and 9mobile have returned to profitability, giving them both the capacity and resources to address lingering network issues.
Responsibility on Operators
The Minister made it clear that responsibility now lies squarely with operators: "The conditions required for improved service delivery have now been established. It is now the responsibility of telecom operators to resolve network challenges and deliver the level of service Nigerians expect."
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been empowered to enforce service standards without interference, with periodic reports and citizen feedback forming the basis for regulatory action.
Expected Improvements
Nigerians can expect measurable improvements in call quality, data performance, and coverage in the coming months. Where operators deliver, the government promises recognition. Where they fail, the NCC is expected to act decisively.
Tijani stressed: "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."
