Reps give MTN, Airtel, Glo, Mafab seven days to explain poor network

The chief executives of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and Mafab Communications have seven days to appear before a House of Representatives committee and explain why Nigerians keep battling poor network service.

The ad hoc committee set the date as October 28, 2026, at 2 p.m. in Hearing Room 447 of the New Building at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. It also wants the operators to submit relevant documents on or before that day.

The order was issued on Wednesday at a public hearing in Abuja, after the committee adopted two motions moved by Reps. Sunday Umeha and Afam Ogene. Lawmakers were unhappy that some operators, including MTN and Mafab, had failed to honour earlier invitations.

The committee directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulator, to make sure the companies comply.

Why it matters to subscribers

For many Nigerians, a weak network is not just about a dropped call. It can mean a failed transfer at a Point of Sale (POS) stand, a stalled bank transaction or a lost sale for a small business.

The committee chairman, Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), said reliable telecoms services now go beyond calls and internet, pointing to POS transactions and other commercial activities that depend on them. He said the House set up the panel after repeated complaints from subscribers.

Osoba also criticised operators for sending junior officials or giving excuses instead of letting their chief executives face questions directly.

Another lawmaker, Rep. Ibe Osonwa, said it was unacceptable for companies earning substantial revenue in Nigeria to ignore the House. He warned that the House would not allow the investigation to be frustrated.

The panel warned that any chief executive who fails to appear could face an arrest summons to compel compliance.

The hearing comes amid growing frustration over service quality. According to PM News, the NCC said on October 20 that operators had compensated 75 million subscribers for poor service in 2026, while nearly three million others got refunds for failed airtime and data transactions.

The commission also reported more than 6,500 network improvement activities this year, including equipment upgrades and capacity expansion.

PM News reported that MTN subscribers faced a disruption on October 8 in parts of Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory that lasted more than five hours. NCC figures also showed the four major operators received 413,587 consumer complaints in the first half of 2026, with Airtel at 228,992, MTN at 124,405, Globacom at 56,810 and T2mobile at 3,885.

In April 2026, the NCC introduced an automatic airtime compensation policy for eligible subscribers when operators fail to meet required service standards.

What happens next

All eyes are on October 28, when the chief executives are expected in Abuja with documents and explanations. If they stay away, the committee has said it could move to summon them for arrest.