Poor Network: Reps panel rejects ALTON’s representation, insists on telecom chiefs’ appearance

A plenary session of the House of Reps

The House of Representatives has given the chief executives of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other telecommunications operators until 4 November 2026 to appear before its committee investigating persistent poor network services, warning that failure to comply could lead to warrants of arrest.

The House committee issued the directive on Wednesday after rejecting an attempt by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) to have its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, represent the companies.

The Ad Hoc Committee on Telecommunications Service Quality, chaired by Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), insisted that the operators must appear individually to explain recurring complaints about dropped calls, poor internet connectivity, failed airtime and data transactions, and inadequate network coverage.

The committee had invited the companies on 21 October to account for the quality of their services but expressed displeasure when they reportedly delegated Mr Adebayo to represent them.

During deliberations, Sunday Umeha (APC, Enugu), who moved a motion on the matter, argued that the operators held individual licences issued by the federal government and could not use their membership of an industry association to avoid direct accountability to the legislature.

Mr Umeha also criticised a letter reportedly written by ALTON questioning the committee’s authority to compel the companies to attend the hearing.

“I was shocked with what I saw in the letter. I saw a situation where ALTON is saying that they are not bound to appear before this committee. They see their appearance as a privilege to this committee and not as a statutory obligation,” he said.

Citing Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the lawmaker maintained that the National Assembly had the power to investigate matters within its legislative competence, including the implementation of government policies affecting telecommunications services.

He argued that the committee was not required to accept ALTON’s arrangement and that each operator should appear through its own leadership unless the lawmakers expressly approved a representative.

A representative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) told the committee that the commission had communicated the invitations directly to the chief executives of the affected companies.

The confirmation further strengthened the lawmakers’ position that the operators had received adequate notice and should have honoured the invitation.

Mr Umeha recalled that the committee had considered moving to have the executives arrested at its previous sitting but decided to give them another opportunity to appear. He said the companies had again failed to comply despite further communication facilitated through the NCC.

Seconding the motion, the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi (APC, Ekiti), also faulted ALTON’s attempt to represent the operators collectively, arguing that subscribers deal directly with individual telecommunications companies and should be able to hold them accountable for service failures.

Mr Rotimi raised concerns about poor network coverage in parts of his constituency in Ekiti State, saying the absence of mobile signals in some communities and along major roads posed risks to public safety.

He alleged that two traditional rulers in his constituency had been killed in an ambush along a road where mobile network signals were unavailable for about 20 minutes.

According to him, “such connectivity gaps could prevent residents and travellers from contacting security agencies or seeking emergency assistance when confronted with danger.”

The lawmaker also accused operators of concentrating infrastructure in commercially attractive locations while leaving rural communities and other underserved areas with inadequate coverage.

The committee further questioned Mr Adebayo about a reported ₦8.46 billion fine imposed on Globacom, asking whether he could address regulatory and operational issues concerning a single operator while representing the industry association.

Following deliberations, Mr Osoba put the motion to a voice vote, and it was adopted. The committee then adjourned until 4 November, when the affected operators are expected to appear.

The investigation comes amid persistent complaints about the reliability of telecommunications services, despite regulatory interventions and compensation for affected subscribers.

The NCC reportedly disclosed on 20 October that telecommunications operators had compensated 75 million subscribers for poor service in 2026. Nearly three million other subscribers received refunds for failed airtime and data transactions.

The commission also reported that it undertook more than 6,500 network interventions during the year to address service-related challenges.

However, consumer complaints have remained substantial.

Figures for the first half of 2026 showed that the four major operators recorded a combined 413,587 consumer complaints.

Airtel Nigeria accounted for 228,992 complaints, followed by MTN Nigeria with 124,405, Globacom with 56,810 and T2mobile with 3,885.

Although the operators reportedly resolved 406,938 complaints, continuing concerns about dropped calls, slow internet speeds, failed transactions and poor coverage have persisted.