Telecommunications companies in Nigeria have pledged to deliver an improved telephone experience before the end of this year. The President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Emoekpere, assured that persistent network disruptions and poor telecommunications services across the country would not continue beyond 2026.
Assurance on Television Programme
Emoekpere gave this assurance during a television programme appearance, where he addressed growing public concerns over unstable network services, poor call quality, data issues, and rising telecommunications tariffs. He stated that operators, infrastructure providers, service providers, and regulators are already implementing several measures to enhance service quality nationwide.
“There are already ongoing projects, commitments by mobile network operators, and active engagements with regulators and stakeholders. We believe these challenges should not persist beyond this year,” he said.
Collaboration with Regulators
The ATCON president explained that the industry has intensified collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other stakeholders to tackle network-related complaints affecting millions of subscribers. He noted that continuous meetings and consultations are being held across the telecommunications ecosystem to address infrastructure gaps, service quality concerns, and operational challenges.
Over the past two years, complaints about dropped calls, slow internet speeds, poor network coverage, rapid depletion of mobile data, and increasing subscription costs have become common. A recent report by Ookla, authored on behalf of the NCC, acknowledged increased telephone congestion, especially in urban areas, highlighting rural-urban migration due to slow infrastructure deployments in rural regions.
Government Pressure on Operators
Amid these gaps, the Federal Government has asked mobile network operators to improve telephone services, stating that they have no excuse after the 50 percent tariff hike granted in January 2025. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, warned operators to address persistent service failures, emphasizing that government reforms introduced to stabilize the sector must now translate into improved user experience.
Data Subscription Clarifications
Reacting to complaints about data subscriptions and expiration concerns, Emoekpere clarified that unused data balances are usually carried forward once customers renew their subscriptions before expiration. According to him, subscribers who renew their plans on time typically have their remaining data added to newly purchased bundles. He also encouraged consumers experiencing service-related issues to report them through the consumer protection arm of the NCC, which handles complaints and ensures operators respond appropriately.
