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The House of Representatives has given the CEOs of MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other telecom operators seven days to appear before its ad hoc committee investigating persistent poor network quality across the country.
The committee ordered the operators to appear on October 28, 2026 to explain the continued deterioration of telecom services and their failure to comply with previous invitations from lawmakers.
The ultimatum was issued on Wednesday during a public hearing in Abuja following the adoption of two motions sponsored by members of the House, Sunday Umeha and Afam Ogene.
The lawmakers expressed disappointment over the failure of some invited telecoms operators, including MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications, to appear before the committee as previously requested.
Accordingly, the Committee directed the Nigerian Communications Commission to ensure that all interested practitioners comply with the invitation and appear at 2pm on 28 October at Audience Hall 447 of the New Building of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The companies were also asked to submit relevant documents ahead of the scheduled hearing and provide explanations for the persistent decline in network quality affecting millions of subscribers and businesses nationwide.
The committee warned that CEOs who did not honor the invitation risked arrest to force them to appear.
Personal presence is mandatory
Chairman of the committee, Olumide Osoba, who represents Ogun State in the All Progressives Congress, said reliable telecommunications services have become indispensable to Nigeria’s economy.
He explained that telecommunications services have grown beyond voice calls and internet access to support essential business activities, including point-of-sale transactions, electronic payments and other business operations.
According to him, persistent network outages have become a matter of serious national concern because businesses, financial transactions and other essential services are highly dependent on reliable telecommunications infrastructure.
Osoba said the House had constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate repeated complaints from subscribers and identify factors responsible for the poor quality of services provided by operators.
However, he expressed concern that CEOs continued to avoid direct dialogue with the committee by offering various excuses or sending lower-ranking officials to represent them.
The chairman argued that the committee expected CEOs to appear in person, arguing that they were in a better position to explain their companies’ operational challenges and outline measures taken to improve service delivery.
Lawmakers criticize the operators’ conduct
Another member of the committee, Ibe Osonwa, criticized the telecoms companies for what he described as contempt for the House, despite the substantial revenue they generated from their operations in Nigeria.
Osonwa said it is unacceptable for companies profiting from the country’s telecommunications market to ignore legislative calls, particularly when lawmakers seek explanations about services that directly affect millions of customers and the broader economy.
He stressed that operators have a responsibility to account for the quality of services provided to Nigerians and warned that the House will not overlook attempts to frustrate investigations.
In his ruling, Osoba urged the NCC to ensure full compliance with the committee’s directive, reiterating that affected companies must come forward on October 28 with the required documents and explanations regarding the status of their networks.
The hearing comes amid continuing complaints from telecom subscribers about dropped calls, slow Internet connections and unreliable network services, which have disrupted personal communications, business transactions and other activities dependent on mobile connectivity.
The committee is expected to use the engagement to obtain explanations from operators and examine challenges affecting service delivery, as well as their commitments to improve network quality across Nigeria.
