The Nigerian Senate has summoned the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and major telecommunications operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T-2 Mobile, over persistent network failures, dropped calls and alleged unjustified deductions from subscribers’ airtime.
The telecommunications operators and the regulatory agency are expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Communications, chaired by Senator Aliyu Ikra Bilbis, to explain the persistent service disruptions and charges imposed on calls that fail to connect or are prematurely terminated.
The committee is also expected to establish the financial losses suffered by subscribers and submit its findings, alongside recommendations for further legislative and regulatory action, within four weeks.
The Senate’s resolution followed the consideration of a motion sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, and presented by the Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru.
The motion seeks to curb unjustified airtime deductions resulting from poor telecommunications services and strengthen consumer protection.
Seconding the motion, Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, described the intervention as necessary, noting that poor network services affect virtually every Nigerian who depends on telecommunications for communication and business activities.
Lawmakers expressed concern that subscribers are frequently charged for calls that never connect, while others lose airtime when conversations are abruptly terminated.
They also observed that many Nigerians are forced to dial numbers repeatedly before establishing connections, leading to additional airtime deductions and financial losses.
The Senate noted that “the situation particularly affects low-income earners, traders, students and small business owners who rely heavily on mobile communication for their daily activities.”
The lawmakers maintained that Nigerians should not be made to pay for telecommunications services they have not received, even where network challenges are unavoidable.
Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has insisted that the investigation must go beyond routine engagements.
Akpabio said “the NCC, the supervising minister and telecommunications operators must provide explanations for the persistent complaints.”
He warned that the Senate could escalate the matter to a Committee of the Whole for further legislative action if the explanations and proposed interventions fail to address the concerns.
The investigation is expected to determine the extent of financial losses suffered by subscribers and identify measures to improve service delivery and protect consumers across the telecommunications sector.
