Telecom operators including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile have compensated more than 75 million subscribers with free airtime following persistent complaints about poor network quality across Nigeria.
NCC Mandates Compensation for Poor Service
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) disclosed this in a communique after its 109th board meeting on May 25, 2026. The commission described the move as one of the largest consumer compensation exercises in Africa's telecom sector.
The compensation followed a directive issued by the NCC on March 29, 2026, ordering telecom operators to provide automatic airtime compensation to customers affected by poor service delivery.
How Subscribers Qualified for Compensation
According to the NCC, subscribers became eligible if they experienced poor network performance in areas where operators failed to meet quality-of-service benchmarks. The compensation was calculated based on users' average spending patterns in affected locations.
Customers suffering from dropped calls, unstable internet connections, slow data speeds, or prolonged network outages received airtime credits automatically. Subscribers did not need to apply manually.
The communique stated: "The board noted substantial progress in the implementation of the commission's directive, particularly the full compliance, which has resulted in compensation being offered to over 75 million affected subscribers."
NCC Verification Ongoing
Despite the compensation rollout, the telecom regulator is carrying out independent verification to ensure all eligible customers are captured. The commission encouraged subscribers to report unresolved network issues.
Nigeria has over 200 million active mobile subscriptions, meaning a significant percentage of users may benefit from this exercise.
Why Network Problems Persist
The NCC intervention became necessary due to growing consumer frustration over deteriorating service quality despite massive investments by telecom companies.
Nigeria's telecom sector faces challenges including rising data demand, limited fibre infrastructure, vandalism of equipment, and increasing pressure on mobile broadband networks. Industry figures show operators spent about N2.13 trillion on infrastructure in 2025, with another N1.86 trillion expected in 2026.
Infrastructure Under Pressure
The NCC revealed that tower companies directed to reinvest regulatory fines into infrastructure upgrades have only partially complied. The commission warned that full compliance is necessary for sustainable network reliability.
Vandalism of telecom facilities remains a major threat despite their classification as critical national assets. The NCC is considering additional security measures, including a Communications Industry Security Trust Fund to protect infrastructure.
Push for Better Internet Services
Fibre-to-the-home expansion is improving but remains below national demand. Wider fibre deployment and stronger broadband backbone infrastructure will help reduce pressure on mobile networks and lower internet costs over time.
The compensation programme signals a tougher regulatory stance by the NCC as it intensifies efforts to hold operators accountable and improve customer experience.
Telcos to Resume Airtime Lending
Millions of Nigerian mobile subscribers could soon regain access to airtime and data lending services after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) suspended enforcement of its 2025 digital lending regulations.
The Federal High Court in Lagos issued an ex parte order halting the implementation of the Digital, Electronic Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025. The order, granted by Justice A.L. Allagoa, remains in effect for 14 days pending further proceedings.
