Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria has assured Nigerians that persistent network disruptions and service irregularities affecting mobile users are expected to ease before the end of 2026 as operators intensify infrastructure upgrades and sector-wide reforms.
ATCON President Tony Emoekpere said telecommunications companies, infrastructure providers, and regulators are already implementing measures aimed at improving service quality across Africa’s largest telecom market.
“There have been positive things already being done, projects have already been put in place, and commitments have already been made to regulators by the Mobile Network Operators,” Emoekpere said during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
“Most generally, I don’t think these issues should surpass this year,” he added.
Nigeria’s telecom sector has faced mounting consumer complaints in recent years over poor network coverage, dropped calls, slow internet speeds, rising tariffs, and concerns about rapid data depletion.
The sector remains critical to Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions, supporting financial technology services, e-commerce, remote work, digital payments, and broader connectivity for more than 200 million citizens.
Emoekpere said industry stakeholders are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission to address the challenges through ongoing engagements involving mobile operators, infrastructure providers, and service companies.
“We continuously engage with the regulator, the NCC, and have been having several meetings across all stakeholders within our sector,” he said.
The comments come as the Nigerian government increases pressure on telecom operators to improve service delivery amid broader efforts to expand the country’s digital economy.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, recently said the government had introduced reforms aimed at stabilising the telecom sector and expects operators to significantly improve network performance and customer experience.
Emoekpere also addressed recurring consumer concerns about data expiration and subscription renewals, stating that unused data balances are typically rolled over once subscribers renew their plans.
According to him, the NCC’s consumer affairs division remains available to investigate complaints from telecom users and ensure operators respond appropriately to service-related issues.
Industry analysts say improving telecom infrastructure will be essential for Nigeria’s ambitions to attract digital investment, strengthen financial inclusion, and support the rapid growth of technology-driven businesses across West Africa’s largest economy.
Despite ongoing challenges, Emoekpere insisted operators remain committed to resolving network issues, noting that poor service quality negatively affects the entire telecom ecosystem.
“It’s no operator’s best interest to provide poor services,” he said. “Everybody is challenged by these problems, and all hands are on deck to solve these challenges.”
