Following the poor telecom service operation that hit the country recently, the Federal Government has warned telecom operators to improve the quality of their service or face regulatory sanctions, claiming that recent reforms in the sector have removed excuses for poor network performance. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, issued the warning in a statement yesterday, emphasising that Nigeria’s connectivity gaps were largely structural, driven by years of underinvestment and constraints on operators.
Bosun Tijani said the government is tackling the challenge through a combination of long-term infrastructure development plans and short-term measures aimed at stabilising the sector, improving sustainability, and rebuilding investor confidence.
He explained that the broader reforms are centred on expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure through the deployment of new fibre networks and the rollout of additional telecom towers to address major gaps in the country’s connectivity backbone.
The minister disclosed that funding has already been secured with backing from the World Bank for Project BRIDGE, while further investments are also being directed toward satellite capacity to improve internet access nationwide.
According to him, the initiatives are expected to significantly improve connectivity within the next two to five years, providing businesses and households with more stable and reliable high-speed internet services beyond inconsistent mobile networks.
“When we assumed office, it was clear that Nigeria’s connectivity challenges were structural, driven by years of underinvestment in infrastructure and constraints that limited the ability of operators to deliver quality service.
“We have addressed this on two fronts. First, the long-term structural solution. We have secured funding, led by the World Bank, and established the framework for a special purpose vehicle with Project BRIDGE, to deliver nationwide open access fibre infrastructure. Deployment of fibre will commence, alongside new tower rollouts through NUCAP, before the end of the year even as we also expand our satellite capability.
“These investments will address the foundational gaps in our digital infrastructure over the next two to five years and permanently transform connectivity across Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on immediate interventions, Tijani said that government has stabilised the sector through tariff adjustments, the designation of telecom infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, tax harmonisation efforts, and broader macroeconomic reforms.
The minister said the reforms introduced by the government have helped restore profitability for telecom operators while creating a more transparent, market-driven environment that allows them to invest in improving their networks.
He maintained that the responsibility now lies with operators such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2 to address persistent network issues and provide the quality of service Nigerians expect.
The minister added that the Nigerian Communications Commission has been given full authority to track service performance, enforce regulatory standards, and ensure operators comply with set rules, warning that companies that fail to meet expectations could face sanctions.
He expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon notice clear improvements in call quality, internet speed, and network coverage, noting that the government would continue to use regulatory assessments and customer feedback to hold telecom providers accountable and ensure consumers get value for their money.
