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The Federal Government has intensified pressure on telecommunications companies to improve service quality across Nigeria, warning that subscribers must begin to enjoy better connectivity and value for money.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the government had already implemented several reforms aimed at stabilising the telecommunications sector, stressing that operators must now address persistent network failures affecting millions of Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Tijani said telecom operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and T2 must take urgent steps to resolve network challenges and improve service delivery nationwide.
According to the minister, the current administration inherited longstanding structural problems in the telecom sector, largely caused by years of inadequate investment in critical infrastructure.
He noted that poor connectivity and recurring service disruptions were linked to limitations that had prevented operators from providing efficient telecom services across the country.
Tijani explained that the Federal Government had adopted both immediate and long-term measures to transform Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and improve network reliability.
On the long-term strategy, he disclosed that the government had secured funding support led by the World Bank and established a framework under Project BRIDGE to expand nationwide fibre-optic infrastructure.
“We have secured funding, led by the World Bank, and established the framework for a special purpose vehicle with Project BRIDGE, to deliver nationwide open access fibre infrastructure,” the minister stated.
He further revealed that fibre deployment and additional telecom tower rollout through NUCAP would commence before the end of the year, alongside efforts to expand satellite connectivity capacity.
According to him, the investments are expected to bridge major infrastructure gaps within the next two to five years and significantly improve internet access and network reliability across Nigeria.
Tijani said the government’s vision was to ensure Nigerians enjoy stable and high-speed internet services in homes, schools and business environments.
“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,” he said.
The minister also highlighted several short-term reforms introduced by the government to strengthen the telecom industry, including tariff adjustments, designation of telecom infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, tax harmonisation policies and broader economic reforms.
According to him, the measures have created a more stable and transparent operating environment for telecom operators, many of whom have now returned to profitability.
“They are now operating in a more stable, transparent, and market-driven environment and have returned to profitability,” Tijani added.
He maintained that telecom companies now possess both the financial capacity and operational environment needed to improve service delivery for subscribers.
The minister further disclosed that the Nigerian Communications Commission has been empowered to independently monitor operators’ performance, enforce compliance and sanction defaulting firms where necessary.
Tijani said the government would increasingly rely on reports from the Commission, as well as complaints from consumers, to hold operators accountable in the coming months.
He expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon witness measurable improvements in call quality, data services and network coverage across the country.
“Where operators deliver, it will be recognised, and where they do not, the Commission is expected to take appropriate regulatory action,” he warned.
The minister insisted that Nigerians deserve quality telecom services that reflect the amount subscribers pay for calls and data services.
“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,” Tijani stated.
