Nigerians Endure Soaring Telecom Costs, Poor Service Amid $1 Billion Network Overhaul

Telecommunications subscribers across Nigeria are expressing growing frustration over deteriorating network quality, even as mobile operators prepare to inject $1 billion into infrastructure upgrades. Users nationwide have reported persistent issues such as dropped calls, slow data speeds, failed transaction alerts, and complete service blackouts. The discontent follows a major tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January 2025—raising the cost of calls, SMS, and data for the first time in over a decade. While operators gained some financial breathing room, consumers say service quality has worsened dramatically.

From students to professionals, complaints have surged online and offline. Social media users describe their telecom experiences as unreliable and frustrating, with basic tasks like voice calls and online browsing often impossible. The president of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), Deolu Ogunbanjo, highlighted the serious implications, especially for digital banking and financial transactions. He attributed the crisis to chronic underinvestment, regulatory gaps, and the reintroduction of a controversial 5% excise duty now being challenged in court.

In response, the NCC has confirmed that major operators have begun deploying newly imported equipment intended to modernize networks nationwide. Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida stated that improvements should be noticeable by the fourth quarter of 2025, with the scale of the upgrade covering thousands of base stations and expanded fibre networks. In a parallel development, MTN Nigeria and 9mobile have entered into a groundbreaking infrastructure-sharing deal—endorsed by the NCC—to enhance nationwide coverage while reducing duplication and accelerating deployment.

Despite the optimism surrounding these efforts, industry experts warn that the telecom sector’s challenges run deeper than hardware fixes. Technology analyst Jide Awe pointed to systemic issues like policy inconsistency, digital exclusion, and the neglect of local content development. He cautioned that unless rural areas are prioritized, the infrastructure push may only benefit urban elites. Awe also urged the government to shift from reliance on imports to supporting local manufacturing, noting that true digital inclusion will require long-term strategic reforms—not just temporary investments.

Source: Leadership