MTN, Airtel, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other operators have seven days appear before House Committee to explain the worsening network situation across the country
The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the persistent poor quality of telecommunications services in Nigeria has given MTN, Airtel, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other operators seven days to explain the worsening network situation across the country.
The committee directed the chief executive officers (CEOs) of the affected telecommunications companies to appear before it on October 28, 2026, following their failure to honour previous invitations by the lawmakers.
The ultimatum was issued at a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday after the committee adopted two motions sponsored by Reps. Sunday Umeha and Rep. Afam Ogene.
The lawmakers expressed displeasure over the absence of the invited operators, particularly MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications, despite earlier invitations to account for the persistent complaints about poor network services.
Consequently, the committee directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that all the affected operators comply with the invitation and appear at 2 p.m. on October 28 at Hearing Room 447 of the New Building of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The telecom companies were also directed to submit all relevant documents to the committee on or before the scheduled hearing to explain the factors responsible for the deteriorating quality of their services.
The committee warned that any chief executive who failed to appear could face a summons for arrest to compel compliance with the legislative investigation.
Speaking at the hearing, the committee’s chairman, Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), said telecommunications services had become critical to Nigeria’s economic activities, extending beyond voice calls and internet access to essential transactions, including payments through Point of Sale (POS) terminals.
He noted that businesses, financial transactions and several other services depended on reliable telecommunications networks, making the persistent decline in service quality a significant national concern.
Osoba explained that the House constituted the ad-hoc committee to investigate recurring complaints by subscribers and identify the factors responsible for the poor services delivered by telecommunications operators.
The chairman, however, criticised the failure of the invited chief executives to engage directly with the committee, alleging that some had offered excuses or sent lower-ranking officials to represent them.
He maintained that such a practice undermined the purpose of the investigation, stressing that the chief executives were expected to appear personally because of their capacity to explain their companies’ operational challenges and commitments to improving service delivery.
Also speaking, Rep. Ibe Osonwa condemned the operators’ failure to honour the lawmakers’ invitations, describing the situation as a disregard for the House despite the substantial revenue the companies generate from their operations in Nigeria.
Osonwa argued that telecommunications companies operating in the country should not ignore legislative invitations, particularly when the inquiry concerns the quality of services provided to millions of subscribers and its wider implications for the economy.
He added that the operators had a responsibility to account for their service delivery and warned that the House would not overlook attempts to frustrate the investigation.
In his ruling, Rep. Osoba charged the NCC with ensuring that the affected companies complied with the committee’s directive.
He reiterated that the chief executives must appear on October 28 with the requested documents and provide explanations on the persistent network challenges affecting telecommunications users across the country.
