Nigeria's Telecoms Under Pressure – Government Ultimatum to Improve Network Quality by August 2025
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| Nigeria's Telecoms Under Pressure |
Amid rising complaints from subscribers about poor call quality, slow internet, and network outages, the Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to telecom operators: “Fix your services by August 31, 2025, or face sanctions.”
This comes after the recent 50% tariff increase, which has left millions of Nigerians expecting improved service delivery.
Why the Ultimatum?
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), received over 10,000 complaints in the past three months regarding:
- Dropped calls
- Inconsistent internet access
- Delays in SIM registration and activation
- Weak network coverage in urban and rural areas
Minister Bosun Tijani said:
“We cannot increase tariffs without demanding accountability. Nigerians deserve better. By the end of August, we expect major improvements, or we will act decisively.”
What Telcos Must Fix by August 31:
| Problem | Government Expectation |
|---|---|
| Call drops and voice quality | < 1% call drop rate |
| Network downtime | 99% service uptime |
| Rural access and coverage | Minimum coverage expansion to new LGAs |
| Customer service complaints | Dedicated resolution teams and response |
| SIM activation issues (NIN sync) | Full resolution of NIMC integration errors |
Current Situation – What Users Say
“After the price hike, I thought service would improve, but it got worse,” says Chidinma, a businesswoman in Abuja.
“I had to buy an Airtel SIM just to stream because Glo became unusable at night,” says Mustapha, a student in Kano.
These are common sentiments among many Nigerians—putting heavy reputational pressure on MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile.
What Happens if They Don’t Comply?
According to the NCC:
- Operators may face hefty fines
- License reviews or suspensions could occur for noncompliance
- The government may encourage new competitors or satellite-based services if quality doesn’t improve
Nigerian telecom operators now face a critical deadline. With billions already invested in infrastructure, the spotlight is on their ability to deliver real improvements before August ends. Consumers, regulators, and the industry alike will be watching closely.
