Nigerians across major cities have voiced growing frustration over deteriorating telecom services, with users reporting slow internet speeds and frequent call drops on networks operated by MTN and Airtel. The complaints intensified in recent weeks, particularly after periods of rainfall, disrupting work, communication, and daily online activities.
Many subscribers say the unreliable service is taking a measurable toll on productivity. One Lagos-based researcher told reporters he lost more than half of his output over a three-week period due to unstable connectivity. “You plan your day around internet access, and then it just fails you,” he said. “It’s not just inconvenient, it’s costly.”
The situation has drawn the attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which confirmed a spike in network disruptions. According to the regulator, there were at least 245 major outages recorded in May 2026 alone. These incidents were linked to a mix of factors, including fiber optic cable cuts, inconsistent power supply, and infrastructure vandalism.
In response, the NCC has directed telecom operators to act swiftly, demanding detailed reports on the root causes of service failures and timelines for resolution. The regulator has also introduced stricter compliance measures, including mandatory outage reporting and provisions for compensating affected customers.
Both MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria have acknowledged the service issues and issued public apologies. In separate statements, the companies said they are investigating the disruptions and working to strengthen network resilience. Industry insiders, however, note that the scale of Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure challenges, ranging from urban congestion to security threats, continues to test operators’ capacity.
Despite billions of naira invested in expanding network coverage and upgrading technology, service reliability remains a persistent concern in Africa’s largest telecom market. Analysts say the gap between infrastructure growth and user expectations is widening as more Nigerians rely on digital platforms for work, education, and business.
The NCC’s latest directive also introduces the possibility of consumer compensation, such as free airtime or data bonuses, for prolonged outages, an approach aimed at restoring trust in the sector.
For now, subscribers are watching closely to see whether the renewed regulatory pressure will translate into tangible improvements. As Nigeria’s digital economy expands, reliable telecom services are no longer a luxury but a critical backbone, and users are demanding that providers rise to the challenge.