(Ecofin Agency) – In Africa, the quality of digital services has become a central issue, given the country’s heavy reliance on mobile communications and the internet. It now determines access to economic, social, and educational opportunities, as well as user trust.
In Nigeria, telecom operators no longer have any excuse for poor service quality, according to the authorities. They believe they have put in place the necessary conditions to allow companies in the sector to sustainably improve their networks and the services offered to consumers.
This was stated in a press release issued by Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and the Digital Economy, on Sunday, May 10. This announcement comes amid ongoing complaints from consumers about the services provided by operators, including dropped calls, connection failures, and slow internet speeds.
Government action on two fronts
The Nigerian government states that it has focused its efforts on two complementary areas: strengthening digital infrastructure in the long term and immediately stabilizing the telecommunications sector.
On the first front, the authorities indicate that they have secured funding supported by the World Bank and established the operational framework for the BRIDGE project, which aims to deploy a nationwide open-access fiber optic network. Abuja also plans to launch, before the end of the year, the installation of new telecom towers and the strengthening of the country’s satellite capacity.
According to the government, these investments should gradually address the structural deficiencies in digital infrastructure over the next two to five years. They should also lead to a lasting improvement in nationwide connectivity.
At the same time, the government says it has implemented several measures to improve and stabilize the sector’s economic environment. For example, the government has authorized tariff adjustments for operators to support their investment capacity. It has also classified telecommunications facilities as critical national infrastructure, while continuing its efforts to harmonize taxation.
The authorities also mention broader macroeconomic reforms, such as the liberalization of the naira and the elimination of fuel subsidies, presented as measures designed to restore a more viable operating environment for companies in the sector.
Increased Regulatory Pressure on Telecom Operators
The Nigerian government believes that the reforms undertaken have restored a more stable, transparent, and market-oriented environment for operators. According to the authorities, this has contributed to the return to profitability of companies in the sector, giving them the financial resources to address network deficiencies and improve the quality of services provided to consumers.
Mr. Tijani is therefore calling on operators, such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2, to take all necessary measures to resolve network issues and improve call quality, coverage, and internet services.
“Going forward, we expect clear and measurable improvements in call quality, data performance, and network coverage. When operators meet these expectations, it will be recognized. If not, the Commission will have to take appropriate regulatory action,” the minister stated.
He added that the government had strengthened the powers of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which is responsible for monitoring network performance, ensuring compliance with quality of service standards, and enforcing industry regulations.
Structural constraints still hinder service quality
While Nigerian authorities believe they have laid the groundwork for a sustainable improvement in the quality of telecommunications services, industry stakeholders point out that several structural constraints continue to affect network performance.
In a recent statement reported by the local press, the president of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, highlighted the impact of infrastructure vandalism and fuel theft on service continuity. According to him, fiber optic cable cuts frequently occur during roadworks, while diesel theft from base stations remains a recurring problem, putting a strain on the power supply to telecommunications sites.
He explained that in some areas, operators had opted for infrastructure sharing to cope with the high costs associated with network deployment, maintenance, and repair. However, this interconnection makes the network particularly vulnerable. A single fiber cut or an incident at one site can cause widespread disruptions.
Beyond physical damage, operators also face security constraints. In some areas, technical teams can no longer intervene after 6 p.m. due to insecurity and the risk of attacks, which significantly limits their ability to respond to outages.
For industry stakeholders, these challenges extend beyond the sole responsibility of operators and require a collective approach involving the government, local authorities, and communities. They are therefore calling for strengthened protection of critical infrastructure, such as fiber optic networks and base stations.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Edited by Sèna D. B. de Sodji