By Peter Taiwo
Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have compensated more than 75 million subscribers for poor network services following a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the regulator said on Tuesday.
The disclosure was contained in a communiqué issued after the NCC’s 109th board meeting held on May 25, where the commission reviewed compliance with measures aimed at improving service quality across the sector.
According to the NCC, the compensation followed its March 29, 2026 directive requiring mobile network operators to provide redress to customers affected by substandard network performance.
“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,” the communiqué said.
Under the directive, operators were required to automatically credit affected subscribers with airtime based on their average spending in areas where network performance failed to meet regulatory standards.
The NCC said the compensation exercise formed part of efforts to enforce quality-of-service obligations amid persistent consumer complaints over dropped calls, poor network coverage and slow data speeds.
It added that while operators had reported compliance, the commission was independently verifying the claims to ensure all eligible subscribers received compensation.
“The board further acknowledged ongoing efforts to independently validate operators’ claims and ensure all eligible subscribers receive compensation due to them,” the regulator said.
The commission also reviewed compliance by telecommunications infrastructure providers, particularly tower companies, which had been directed to channel regulatory fines towards network improvement projects through escrow arrangements.
According to the NCC, compliance with the directive has been partial, with the board stressing the need for full implementation to achieve sustainable infrastructure upgrades.
The regulator identified infrastructure vandalism as one of the major challenges affecting service quality and sector growth despite the designation of telecom assets as critical national information infrastructure.
It said efforts were underway to strengthen the protection of telecommunications facilities, including consideration of a Communications Industry Security Trust Fund.
Nigeria has more than 200 million mobile subscriptions, making it Africa’s largest telecommunications market. The sector continues to face growing demand for data services, placing additional pressure on network infrastructure.
“The board noted the prevailing sectoral challenges affecting the operations of licensees of the commission, including infrastructure vandalism, which has continued to hamper industry growth,” it said.
The NCC said ongoing investments by operators and infrastructure providers, alongside regulatory enforcement, were expected to improve service delivery and network reliability across the country.
