Nigeria’s House panel summons telecom chiefs over poor network quality
Executives from MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and Mafab Communications have been directed to appear on 28 October to explain service problems affecting subscribers and businesses.
Nigeria’s House of Representatives committee investigating poor telecom service directed the chief executives of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and Mafab Communications to appear in Abuja on 28 October 2026. The panel wants them to explain network quality problems affecting subscribers and businesses, Premium Times and TheCable reported.
The committee issued the direction at a public hearing on 21 October after several invited operators failed to appear, according to Premium Times. TheCable reported that lawmakers were dissatisfied with what they described as the chief executives’ failure to honour earlier invitations. Their absence is the committee’s account; the hearing is intended to seek explanations from the companies.
What the telecom chiefs have been asked to provide
Premium Times reported that the executives are due at 2 p.m. on 28 October in Hearing Room 447 of the National Assembly’s New Building in Abuja. Operators were told to submit relevant documents before the hearing and explain the decline in service quality. The committee also directed the Nigerian Communications Commission, the sector regulator, to ensure they comply with the invitation.
The committee warned that chief executives who fail to appear could face steps to compel their attendance. Premium Times described a possible summons for arrest, while TheCable reported a threat of arrest warrants. Neither account says that a warrant has been issued.
Why lawmakers are examining network quality
Committee chairman Olumide Osoba said recurring subscriber complaints prompted the inquiry. He said reliable telecom service matters beyond calls and internet access because businesses, financial transactions and point-of-sale payments depend on the networks. He also criticised companies that, according to Premium Times, had sent junior officials or offered excuses instead of making their chief executives available.
TheCable reported that lawmaker Ibe Osonwa also criticised the executives’ earlier absence, saying companies that benefit from the Nigerian market should engage with parliament over the services they provide. The criticism concerns attendance at the inquiry; the committee has yet to hear the executives’ explanations for the reported service problems.
The inquiry comes as the regulator addresses complaints through another measure. TheCable reported that the Nigerian Communications Commission said on 20 October that 75 million subscribers had received airtime compensation for poor telecom service in 2026. That figure describes the regulator’s compensation programme; it does not establish what caused the network problems the House committee is investigating.
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Sources and context
- Reps summon MTN, Airtel, Glo CEOs over poor network qualityPremium Times
- Reps panel summons Airtel, MTN, Glo CEOs over poor network qualityTheCable
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.