NCC Demands Increased Infrastructure Investment from Major Telcos to Curb Service Disruptions and Data Depletion

The NCC visits MTN, Airtel, and Glo in Lagos, mandating better service quality, data transparency, and compensation for subscribers experiencing network issues.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 4:35 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAYLIVE

Mandating Accountability in the Telecoms Sector

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has intensified its oversight of the telecommunications industry following a surge in subscriber complaints regarding service interruptions. A high-powered delegation, led by Board Chairman Idris Olorunnimbe and Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida, visited several major facilities in Lagos, including the MTN office, Airtel Data Centre, Glo Switching Station, and the Open Access Data Centre (WIOCC Group). The primary objective of the tour was to reinforce a recent directive mandating that telecommunications operators (Telcos) compensate subscribers for poor service quality. The Commission emphasized that in this new dispensation, operators will be held strictly accountable for every drop in service quality across their networks.

Addressing Data Depletion and Transparency

A central theme of the visit was the growing public outcry over "fast data depletion." NCC Board Chairman Idris Olorunnimbe highlighted that data-related grievances are among the most frequent complaints received by the Commission. While acknowledging that data usage is often triggered by background applications and automated processes, Olorunnimbe tasked Telcos with a dual responsibility: investigating technical anomalies and deepening consumer education. He argued that operators must proactively inform subscribers about the "triggers" of data loss and provide clear tools for monitoring consumption to restore trust in the digital ecosystem.

Infrastructure Assessment and Global Competitiveness

During the inspection of the Airtel Data Centre and the Open Access Data Centre, the delegation noted that Nigeria’s current telecommunications infrastructure is comparable to world-class standards. However, the NCC maintained that the current capacity is still insufficient to meet the growing demands of Nigeria's massive subscriber base. Dr. Maida commended the investments made by the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) members but stressed that "more strategies" are needed to extend high-quality services to underserved and unserved rural communities. The Commission’s stance is that only through sustained sector-wide investment can Nigeria remain globally competitive.