The House of Representatives has given MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other telecommunications operators seven days to explain persistent network failures, warning that their chief executives risk arrest summons if they ignore the invitation.
The lawmakers, at a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday, directed the companies’ chief executives to appear before an ad hoc committee on October 28 to answer questions about poor service delivery affecting subscribers across the country.
The decision followed the adoption of two motions sponsored by Reps Sunday Umeha and Afam Ogene, after the committee expressed displeasure over the failure of some operators, including MTN and Mafab Communications, to honour previous invitations.
The committee also directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that all the affected companies comply with the invitation and submit relevant documents before the hearing.
The session is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Hearing Room 447 of the New Building of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Chairman of the committee, Rep Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), said reliable telecommunications services were essential to Nigeria’s economy, supporting businesses, financial transactions and everyday communication.
He said the House constituted the committee to investigate persistent complaints from subscribers and identify the factors responsible for poor service delivery.
Osoba criticised telecom operators for sending junior officials or offering excuses instead of allowing their chief executives to appear before lawmakers and explain their companies’ network performance and operational challenges.
Another member of the committee, Rep Ibe Osonwa, condemned the operators’ failure to honour previous invitations, despite the revenue they generate from Nigeria.
Osonwa said the companies must account for the quality of services they provide and warned that the House would not tolerate attempts to frustrate the investigation.
The ultimatum comes amid renewed complaints about dropped calls, slow internet speeds, poor voice quality and failed airtime and data transactions.
On Tuesday, the NCC disclosed that 75 million subscribers had received airtime compensation for poor network services in 2026, while nearly three million others had been refunded for failed airtime and data purchases.
The commission also reported more than 6,500 network interventions this year, including equipment upgrades and capacity expansion, aimed at improving service delivery.
Despite these interventions, subscriber complaints remain high. Data from the NCC showed that the four major mobile network operators recorded 413,587 consumer complaints in the first half of 2026.
Airtel accounted for 228,992 complaints, followed by MTN with 124,405, Globacom with 56,810 and T2mobile with 3,885. The operators reportedly resolved 406,938 complaints, although concerns over network quality, billing and failed transactions have persisted.
The concerns were further highlighted by a network disruption reported by MTN subscribers on October 8 in parts of Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory. The disruption reportedly lasted more than five hours, leaving some customers unable to make calls or complete transactions.
In April, the NCC introduced an automatic airtime compensation framework for eligible subscribers affected by prolonged or repeated poor service in areas where operators fail to meet prescribed quality-of-service standards.
Under the policy, operators are required to identify eligible subscribers and credit their accounts without requiring them to apply individually. The compensation covers qualifying failures affecting voice calls, SMS and data services.
The House committee is seeking explanations from the operators on why service problems persist despite regulatory interventions and what concrete measures they intend to implement to improve network quality.
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