The days of making excuses for dropped calls and slow internet in Nigeria are coming to an end. The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, has issued a final warning to telecommunications companies (telcos) like MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile: fix the network quality now.
For a long time, telcos blamed poor service on things like the high cost of fuel, taxes, and damage to cables. But according to the Minister, the government has cleared these hurdles, and it’s now time for the companies to deliver.
What’s Changing for You?
The government isn’t just asking nicely anymore. They are putting the power back into the hands of the people. Here is what the new “tightened enforcement” means for everyday Nigerians:
• Automatic Paybacks: If your network is terrible for a long time in your area, you won’t just lose money. Under a new rule from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), telcos must now automatically give you airtime as compensation.
• No Complaints Needed: You don’t have to call a customer care line to complain. The NCC will monitor the network. If they see it was down or poor in your Local Government Area (LGA), the telco must credit your line directly.
• Massive Upgrades: The NCC is pushing for over 12,000 network upgrades this year. They want to see more 4G and 5G towers and fewer “dead zones” where there is no signal at all.
Why the Minister is Acting Now
The Minister made it clear that the government has done its part by:
1. Protecting Equipment: Making telecom masts and cables “Critical National Infrastructure” so people who destroy them face heavy trouble.
2. Fixing Finances: Helping telcos return to making profit so they have the money to buy better equipment.
“The excuses for poor service have been removed. A small business owner should be able to have fast internet at home or in their shop without relying on unstable connections.” Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani
How the “Payback” System Works
If you are wondering how you get your airtime back, here are the simple rules:
• Who gets it? Anyone who tried to use their phone (made a call, sent a text, or used data) during the period the network was bad.
• How much? It depends on how much you normally spend and how bad the service was in your specific local government area.
• When? This new system started rolling out in April 2026. You will get an SMS from your provider when they credit your account.
The message to the telcos is clear: Improve or pay up. For Nigerians, it means that even if the network fails, your pocket won’t have to suffer for it.
