The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has attributed a 170 per cent rise in data consumption to widespread infrastructure upgrades by telecom operators. Speaking Friday at a media event in Abuja, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr Aminu Wada Maida said over 3,000 tower sites were upgraded last year, with 2,800 of a targeted 12,000 upgrades completed by April 2025. He disclosed that one operator pledged $1 billion for network improvements, adding that industry-wide investments surpassed $1 billion in the previous year. Maida noted a sharp drop in consumer complaints, from 351,000 to 75,000, since the 2025 tariff adjustment. The Commission plans to engage independent auditors to verify operator compliance with its new rules requiring compensation for poor voice and data service. Subscribers are encouraged to report issues via toll-free lines 300 or 622 or through the NCC website. Maida cited collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as a factor in reducing fiber cuts at construction sites nationwide. He confirmed the NCC is working with sector agencies to address harmful social media content. Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs, described the event as part of ongoing stakeholder engagement to strengthen the telecoms sector.
Dr Aminu Wada Maida claims service quality has improved and complaints dropped after tariff hikes, yet insists on audits to verify operator compliance—suggesting trust in the system remains low. Nigerians paying higher tariffs are now expected to monitor whether operators actually compensate them for poor service. If independent audits are necessary to enforce existing rules, the regulator's oversight capacity is effectively in question. This gap places the burden of accountability on consumers, not institutions meant to protect them.
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