Reps give MTN, Airtel, Glo, Mafab seven days to explain why network dey bad

The chief executives of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and Mafab Communications get seven days to appear before one House of Representatives committee and explain why Nigerians dey always battle poor network service.

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

Dem issue the order on Wednesday at one public hearing in Abuja, after the committee adopt two motions wey Reps. Sunday Umeha and Afam Ogene move. Lawmakers no happy say some operators, including MTN and Mafab, fail to honour earlier invitations.

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

Why e matter to subscribers

For plenty Nigerians, weak network no be just about dropped call. E fit mean failed transfer at Point of Sale (POS) stand, bank transaction wey stop halfway or lost sale for small business.

The committee chairman, Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), talk say reliable telecoms services now pass calls and internet, e point to POS transactions and other commercial activities wey depend on them. E talk say the House set up the panel after subscribers complain tire.

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

Another lawmaker, Rep. Ibe Osonwa, talk say e no acceptable for companies wey dey earn plenty revenue for Nigeria to ignore the House. E warn say the House no go allow the investigation to be frustrated.

The panel warn say any chief executive wey fail to appear fit face arrest summons to force compliance.

The hearing come amid growing frustration over service quality. According to PM News, the NCC talk on October 20 say operators don compensate 75 million subscribers for poor service in 2026, while nearly three million others collect refunds for failed airtime and data transactions.

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

PM News report say MTN subscribers face disruption on October 8 in parts of Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory wey last pass five hours. NCC figures also show the four major operators receive 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 introduce automatic airtime compensation policy for eligible subscribers when operators fail to meet required service standards.

Wetin go happen next

Everybody eye dey on October 28, when the chief executives suppose dey Abuja with documents and explanations. If dem no show, the committee don talk say e fit move to summon them for arrest.