The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says efforts by operators to improve the quality of telecom services across the country are yielding results, although challenges still persist in some areas.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, the commission acknowledged growing consumer concerns over dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data services and other service disruptions affecting subscribers nationwide.
The NCC said improving Quality of Service (QoS) has remained a major regulatory priority over the past two years through closer monitoring of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Tower Companies.
According to the commission, telecom operators invested more than N2.13 trillion in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025, while Tower Companies added another N373.8 billion to support expansion and modernization efforts.
It said the investments enabled the addition and upgrade of over 2,800 telecom sites nationwide, including deployment of additional 4G and 5G infrastructure, fibre backhaul expansion and upgrades in high-demand urban areas and underserved communities.
The NCC disclosed that the expansion drive is continuing in 2026, with operators committing to add or upgrade over 12,000 telecom sites this year. It said nearly 3,000 sites had already been delivered, while over 730 additional 5G sites had been deployed across 27 states.
The commission also said it facilitated the reallocation and restructuring of idle radio spectrum among major operators to improve network efficiency, capacity and service performance.
According to the NCC, QoS assessments using field and crowdsourced analytics indicate gradual improvements in network capacity, coverage and download speeds. It said 4G penetration increased from 45 percent in January 2024 to 54 percent currently, while national median download speeds rose from 16.5Mbps to 20Mbps.
The commission noted that power availability at telecom towers also improved from 99.3 percent in January 2025 to 99.7 percent.
Despite the progress, the NCC admitted that many subscribers still experience poor call quality, slow internet speeds and network congestion in some locations.
The commission said it is also addressing external factors affecting service delivery, including fibre cuts, vandalism, theft and power disruptions.
It revealed that over 27,000 fibre-cut incidents linked mainly to road construction activities and vandalism were recorded nationwide in 2025 alone.
The NCC said it is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders to enforce the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure and reduce infrastructure sabotage.
To improve transparency, the commission said operators have now been directed to notify consumers promptly during major outages and restore services within specified timelines.
The NCC added that enforcement of the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024 commenced in November 2025, including consumer compensation measures and additional obligations for Tower Companies failing to meet performance standards.
The commission warned that operators that fail to deliver measurable improvements risk further regulatory sanctions.
It reiterated its commitment to ensuring reliable, affordable and high-quality telecom services for Nigerians.
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