…Says era of hiding under technical jargons over
Telecom firms are currently in the eye of the storm as the federal government cranks up pressure on them to improve their services, especially after enjoying a recent 50 per cent hike in tariffs.
In response to subscribers’ yearning, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has rolled out a fresh strategy aimed at tightening regulation of the industry, boosting services, transparency and ultimately improving consumer confidence.
At a media interactive session in Lagos at the weekend, NCC Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the era of hiding under technical jargons is over.
He added that the traditional enforcement framework would be replaced by a hybrid model that combines regulation with public disclosure of operator performance.
He said: “The era of hiding behind technical jargon and unverified claims is over.
“We are putting the numbers in the public domain. Nigerians will clearly see which networks are delivering and which are failing,” Maida warned.
“This marks a new era of accountability in Nigeria’s telecom sector. Consumers deserve transparency, quality and security and that is exactly what we intend to deliver. A satisfied customer base means more usage, increased revenue for operators, and a stronger economy for Nigeria.
“In a competitive market, visibility drives change. When a CEO sees their company ranked last in quality-of-service reports, they will act swiftly to improve,” Maida said.
He added that beginning in September, the NCC will launch a new Quality of Experience (QoE) portal, a public platform that allows Nigerians to track mobile network performance for both voice and data services in real time and by location. With this tool, users will be able to know which operators are keeping pace with service expectations and which are lagging behind.
Maida revealed that the portal is part of a three-pronged reform agenda that also introduces a Corporate Governance Code for the communications industry and a mandatory cybersecurity framework.
According to him, these measures are designed to restore trust, attract investment and deliver the quality and reliability consumers deserve.
The new governance code applies to all licensed operators paying Annual Operating Levies (AOL) and requires them to embed global best practices in accountability, disclosure, and ethical conduct. The Commission noted that weak corporate governance ranging from poor board oversight to opaque decision-making has long been a root cause of unstable operations and poor consumer experience.
Operators are expected to align with the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG 2018) under the “Apply and Explain” principle. Failure to comply, the NCC warned, will trigger escalating sanctions: from formal notices to suspension of licences, and ultimately revocation in cases of persistent violations. In extreme cases, the regulator may also direct changes in company management.
Alongside governance reforms, the NCC will from September 2025 enforce a mandatory cybersecurity framework that compels operators to adopt baseline security standards. This will address growing threats such as phishing scams, ransomware, and data breaches that put millions of Nigerians at risk.
The framework will require operators to harden their networks and strengthen protection at base stations with fencing, alarms, and CCTV systems. “Security is no longer optional; it is fundamental to consumer protection,” the Commission said.
The NCC’s QoE map will rely on user-generated data, allowing anyone to check network quality for any location across Nigeria, from major cities like Abuja to smaller towns such as Karu. The Commission expects the tool to pressure operators into prioritizing service improvements where consumers need them most.
The Commission has also traced recurring service failures to issues such as fiber cuts, vandalism, and sabotage. To tackle this, telecom infrastructure has been designated as critical national infrastructure under the Cybercrime Act, giving it stronger legal protection.
Long-term plans include expanding Nigeria’s fiber optic backbone by an additional 90,000 kilometers, on top of the current 30,000 km, and easing site acquisition particularly in Abuja. Smaller internet service providers (ISPs) will also be guaranteed fair access to backbone networks, helping bridge connectivity gaps and drive down the cost of high-speed internet.
Maida further noted that many Nigerians still rely on outdated 3G devices, slowing the adoption of broadband. To ease this, the NCC is working with operators to reassign idle 4G spectrum for wider use, without forcing subscribers to immediately replace their handsets.
Looking at the broader digital ecosystem, the NCC is upgrading its regulatory framework to cover not just traditional voice and data services but also the over-the-top (OTT) platforms Nigerians increasingly depend on, such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
The Commission also reiterated its push for both passive and active infrastructure sharing among operators as a way to cut costs and expand coverage to underserved areas, while promising strict oversight to prevent anti-competitive behavior.
Bringing the reforms together, the NCC made clear that enforcement will be consistent across the board covering service quality, corporate governance, and cybersecurity. Operators who fall short will face escalating penalties ranging from fines to licence suspension and even revocation. By contrast, those that meet or exceed standards will receive public recognition.
