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NCC warns telcos over poor network, assures improved service quality
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured Nigerians that ongoing investments and regulatory interventions in the telecommunications sector are beginning to improve service quality, while warning operators that stricter enforcement measures will continue against poor network performance.
NCC disclosed its plan to improve telecoms services in a statement issued on Wednesday by the commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha.
The regulator acknowledged growing public frustration over dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data services, and network disruptions affecting consumers across the country.
There has been renewed complaints by Nigerian internet users in the previous weeks, who repeatedly lamented deteriorating conditions of services by Nigerian telecoms, which supposedly affected business transactions and other activities.
Subsequently, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, issued warning on Monday, that telcoms who failed to improve their services to Nigerians after the government’s efforts to improve conditions to render quality services, will face regulatory actions.
Improvement measures
In its statement on Wednesday, NCC said telecommunications services have become essential to daily life, business, education, and access to critical services, stressing that consumers deserve reliable and high-quality service delivery.
According to the commission, improving ‘Quality of Service’ has remained a key regulatory priority over the last two years. The regulator said it has intensified monitoring of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Internet Service Providers, and Tower Companies, while strengthening oversight and collaboration with public institutions to tackle structural challenges affecting service delivery.
The commission disclosed that the telecom sector is currently witnessing one of its largest network expansion and modernisation efforts in recent years after a prolonged period of under-investment.
It revealed that in 2025 alone, MNOs invested more than N2.13 trillion in infrastructure and network upgrades, while tower companies committed an additional N373.8 billion to support sector-wide improvements.
The investments, according to NCC, led to the addition and upgrade of more than 2,800 telecom sites nationwide to improve network coverage and capacity.
The regulator said the interventions included deployment of additional 4G and 5G infrastructure, expansion of fibre backhaul systems, targeted network upgrades in high-demand urban areas, rollout of services to underserved communities, and replacement of outdated equipment.
The regulator added that expansion efforts are continuing in 2026, with operators committing to deploy or upgrade over 12,000 telecom sites in the year.
It noted that nearly 3,000 sites have already been completed, while more than 730 additional 5G sites have been deployed across 27 states.
The commission also said it facilitated the reallocation and restructuring of underutilised radio spectrum among the country’s three major mobile operators to improve network efficiency, capacity, and service quality.
“The deployment of next-generation infrastructure is also accelerating, with more than 730 additional 5G sites already deployed across 27 states so far in 2026.
“In addition, and in line with its Spectrum Trading Guidelines, the Commission has facilitated the reallocation of a majority of idle and underutilised valuable radio spectrum among the three major Mobile Network Operators, while also rearranging spectrum blocks to provide contiguity for operators.
“These interventions are designed to improve spectral efficiency, network capacity, and service performance,” the commission added.
Quality of service
According to its Quality of Service assessments, NCC said there have been gradual improvements in network coverage, capacity, and internet speeds in several parts of the country.
The commission stated that 4G penetration increased from 45 per cent in January 2024 to 54 per cent currently, while national median download speeds rose from 16.5Mbps to 20Mbps during the same period.
“These improvements are most evident in areas where recent upgrades and new site deployments have been completed,” the statement noted.
Despite the progress, NCC admitted that many subscribers still experience poor call quality, slow internet speeds, congestion, and unstable services in some locations, insisting that operators must accelerate improvements.
The regulator further stated that it is advancing plans to create a wholesale broadband market segment aimed at enabling smaller Internet Service Providers to expand affordable internet access nationwide. The initiative is expected to complement government-backed digital infrastructure projects, including Project BRIDGE and other efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national digital infrastructure.
“However, the commission is equally clear that the pace and consistency of improvement must increase, particularly in locations where consumers continue to experience poor call quality, slow data speeds, congestion, and service instability.
“In alignment with government policy to deepen fibre penetration to homes, businesses, schools, and public institutions, the commission is also at an advanced stage of conducting a market study aimed at creating a wholesale market segment.
“This will enable smaller and more localised Internet Service Providers to expand service penetration and deliver internet services at lower cost,” the regulatory body stated.
Addressing operational challenges, NCC identified fibre cuts, vandalism, theft of telecom equipment, power disruptions, and denial of maintenance access as major threats to network performance.
It revealed that more than 27,000 avoidable fibre-cut incidents were recorded nationwide in 2025 alone, largely linked to road construction activities and vandalism.
The commission said it is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders to enforce the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure and curb attacks on telecom infrastructure.
“Through this collaboration, organised syndicates involved in the theft and resale of telecom equipment have been disrupted, while engagement with Federal and State Ministries of Works is putting in place a governance mechanism to reduce avoidable fibre cuts arising from road construction,” it said.
Transparency, enforcement
To improve transparency, NCC said operators have now been mandated to notify consumers promptly during major service outages and restore services within specified timelines.
The regulator also noted that details of major outages are now published on its reporting portal.
“Details of major incidents are also logged on the Commission’s Major Network Outages Reporting Portal at the time of the incident: uptime.com/statuspage/ncc.”
The regulator, however, warned that enforcement of the updated ‘Quality of Service Regulations 2024’, which began in November 2025, will continue against operators and tower companies that fail to deliver measurable improvements.
“Under the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024, which were gazetted in July 2024, Mobile Network Operators and Tower Companies were allowed a defined transition period to order, ship, and install required equipment nationwide to enhance service quality. That transition period was not open-ended.
“This enforcement will continue, and where operators fail to deliver measurable improvements, the Commission will take appropriate regulatory action, including escalation where necessary,” the regulator said.
READ ALSO: NCC directs telecom operators to compensate subscribers for poor network service
According to NCC, sanctions may include consumer compensation measures and additional investment obligations where performance failures are identified.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting telecom consumers, the commission called on governments, communities, and other stakeholders to support efforts to safeguard telecom infrastructure and create an enabling environment for sustained sector investment.
“We therefore call on all stakeholders, across federal, state, and local governments, as well as host communities, to support efforts aimed at protecting telecommunications infrastructure, facilitating timely access for maintenance, and creating an enabling environment for sustained investment in the sector.
“The NCC remains firmly committed to ensuring that all Nigerians enjoy reliable, affordable, and high-quality telecommunications services.
“The expectation is clear: the industry must now deliver measurable improvements, and the commission will continue to enforce compliance in the interest of consumers and the wider economy,” the statement read.
BY SINDAY SAMUEL—The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed an unfortunate incident of mob action that occurred on Monday, May 12, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. around the 2nd Powerline Area, Ologuneru, Eleyele–Ido Road, Ibadan.
According to the Command, the incident followed a distress call reporting that an alleged kidnapper was being attacked by an angry mob and about to be lynched and set ablaze. A combined team of Patrol and Detective Officers, led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Eleyele Police Station, was immediately mobilised to the scene where the suspect was rescued from the enraged crowd.
However, before the arrival of the Police, the suspect’s Lexus RX 330 SUV had already been set ablaze by the mob. Two young girls identified as Deborah, 15, and Rebecca, 12, who were found inside the vehicle, were also taken into protective custody alongside the suspect for proper investigation.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, identified as Dr. Afolabi, a United States-based medical doctor, was wrongly accused of kidnapping, contrary to misleading reports circulating on social media. The Command further disclosed that the two girls found in the vehicle were legally taken from Mrs. Idowu Abimbola, 56, of Eleyele Area, Ibadan, with the intention of delivering them to the victim’s mother to assist with household chores.
During investigation, Mrs. Abimbola confirmed the arrangement at the Police Station, while the two girls also corroborated her account, dispelling suspicions of abduction.
Further findings indicated that the misunderstanding began when Dr. Afolabi was stopped at a routine security inspection point at the Polytechnic gate. After lowering his vehicle window, the girls were allegedly seen in a manner that raised suspicion among onlookers and security personnel. His inability to provide immediate clarification, coupled with communication barriers involving the minors, escalated tensions and triggered the false alarm.
The situation led to a mob chase, during which the victim was intercepted and assaulted by irate youths before Police operatives intervened. He sustained injuries and was rushed to the Police Medical Services, where he is currently receiving treatment and responding positively.
Meanwhile, eyewitness statements have been obtained, including that of an Okada rider injured during the chaos, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the mob action and destruction of property.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has strongly condemned the act of jungle justice and the spread of false information capable of inciting public panic and undermining security efforts in the state.
He ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and directed the immediate identification and arrest of all persons involved for prosecution in accordance with the law.
The Command urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, verify information before sharing, and report suspicious activities to security agencies rather than resorting to self-help.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while ensuring justice is served professionally and fairly in line with the law.
The post Mob Action in Ibadan: Police Rescue Suspected Victim from Lynching appeared first on Business Today NG.
BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports circulating across various media platforms regarding casualty figures from a recent air-land operation conducted in Zamfara State, describing them as misleading and unverified.
In a statement signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, and shared via the official X account of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the DHQ clarified that the operation was carried out on May 10, 2026, by troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, targeting a confirmed gathering of terrorist leaders at Tumfa Village in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the location was identified through credible, multi-source human intelligence as a coordination point for planned attacks on communities in the North West region. The DHQ explained that the operation involved an air interdiction strike, noting that such missions do not allow for immediate and precise ground-level casualty counts.
It added that figures currently being circulated in the media, including those attributed to both local and international outlets, are speculative and unverified. The official position of the Armed Forces, the statement stressed, remains that several terrorists were neutralised, based on a Battle Damage Assessment conducted after the strike.
The Defence Headquarters also addressed claims of civilian casualties, stating that no credible or substantiated evidence has been established through official assessments or independent verification. It maintained that the identified target was a known terrorist structure occupied by armed non-state actors posing a direct threat to civilian populations.
The DHQ further urged those making such allegations to rely on verified evidence rather than unconfirmed social media reports or hostile sources, warning against narratives that could undermine ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Reaffirming its operational standards, the Armed Forces of Nigeria stated that all operations are conducted under strict Rules of Engagement and in line with International Humanitarian Law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. It emphasized that civilians are never targeted and that measures are consistently taken to avoid civilian harm.
The statement added that ground troops are continuing exploitation and clearance operations in the area, while members of the public are advised to rely only on official communications from the Defence Headquarters for verified updates.
The DHQ also assured that any confirmed incidents involving civilian casualties would be duly communicated in line with directives on transparency and professionalism in military operations.
The post DHQ Dismisses Reports on Casualty Figures in Zamfara Airstrike appeared first on Business Today NG.
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