BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The Federal Government has reaffirmed its full backing for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to effectively supervise telecommunications operations, enforce service standards, and ensure compliance across the industry.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the Tinubu administration has granted the NCC full autonomy to regulate mobile network operators without interference.
He stressed that operators such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2 are expected to address persistent network issues and improve service delivery.
According to him, the necessary conditions for improved telecom performance have been established, and government will rely on NCC reports, public feedback, and user complaints to assess progress.
Tijani said the government expects clear improvements in call quality, internet speed, and network coverage, while operators that meet expectations will be recognised and those that fail will face sanctions.
He expressed optimism that Nigerians will begin to experience better service quality and improved value for money as reforms take effect.
He explained that when he assumed office in 2023, it was clear that the sector’s challenges were largely due to long-term underinvestment in infrastructure and operational constraints.
To address this, he said the government has secured funding support, including from the World Bank, and launched Project BRIDGE to expand nationwide fibre-optic infrastructure.
He added that additional initiatives such as NUCAP tower deployment and satellite expansion will begin soon, with the goal of significantly improving digital connectivity across Nigeria over the next few years.
