BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is currently undergoing a major phase of expansion and modernization as service providers increase spending to address ongoing issues of weak network performance and rising customer complaints nationwide.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reported that Mobile Network Operators spent over N2.13 trillion in capital investment in 2025 alone on network development and upgrades, while Tower Companies also committed an additional N373.8 billion to strengthen infrastructure across the country.
According to the Commission, these investments are intended to improve service quality, expand network capacity, reduce congestion, and support the country’s rapidly growing digital economy.
In a statement by Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs, the NCC noted that complaints from users about dropped calls, slow internet, unstable data connections, and frequent service interruptions remain widespread, prompting stronger regulation and increased industry spending.
The regulator stated that the investments enabled the rollout and upgrade of over 2,800 telecom sites nationwide, helping to bridge coverage gaps in both urban areas and underserved communities.
The ongoing infrastructure expansion includes deployment of additional 4G and 5G layers, extension of fibre backhaul networks, construction of new sites in high-demand locations, and modernization of outdated equipment.
The NCC added that this expansion drive will continue into 2026, with operators targeting more than 12,000 site upgrades and new deployments within the year.
So far, nearly 3,000 of the planned sites have been completed, alongside over 730 new 5G sites rolled out across 27 states in 2026.
The Commission attributed the rapid rollout to rising data consumption, increased digital adoption, and growing dependence on broadband for business, education, entertainment, and financial transactions.
To further enhance performance, the NCC said it has facilitated better allocation and optimization of unused radio spectrum among the three major Mobile Network Operators to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Early indicators from Quality of Service and Quality of Experience assessments show gradual improvements in network performance, including higher capacity, wider coverage, and faster average internet speeds in several regions.
The Commission revealed that national median download speeds rose from 16.5Mbps in January 2024 to 20Mbps currently, while 4G penetration increased from 45 percent to 54 percent over the same period. Power availability at telecom sites also improved from 99.3 percent to 99.7 percent.
Despite these gains, the NCC acknowledged that many areas still experience poor call quality, slow connectivity, network congestion, and unstable services.
It emphasized that while investments are increasing, operators must ensure that these upgrades translate into visible improvements for consumers.
To strengthen compliance, the regulator has intensified monitoring of operators under the revised Quality of Service Regulations 2024, with enforcement actions beginning in November 2025 after an initial transition period.
The NCC also highlighted ongoing challenges such as fibre cuts, vandalism, theft of equipment, power disruptions, and restricted access during maintenance, noting that over 27,000 avoidable fibre cuts were recorded in 2025 alone.
It concluded that although the telecom sector is seeing significant investment growth, operators must deliver measurable improvements in service quality as regulatory oversight continues to tighten.
