House of Reps Orders MTN, Airtel, Glo Chiefs to Explain Network Issues

The House of Representatives has given the CEOs of major telecom companies seven days to come and explain why network services keep getting worse in Nigeria.

The companies involved are MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom (Glo), and Mafab Communications Ltd. They are expected to appear before the House Ad Hoc Committee looking into the poor quality of telecom services on 28 October.

The committee made this demand during a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday after many invited operators did not show up.

This decision came after two motions were adopted, sponsored by Sunday Umeha (APC, Enugu) and Afam Ogene (NDC, Anambra).

The committee also told the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to make sure all affected telecom operators comply and appear at 2 p.m. on 28 October in Hearing Room 447 of the New Building of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The operators must also send in relevant documents to the committee before the hearing and explain why service quality has dropped, affecting millions of subscribers and businesses.

The committee warned that CEOs who do not show up could be compelled to appear later.

Chairman of the committee, Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), said reliable telecom services are now crucial for Nigeria’s economy. Their importance goes beyond just calls and internet access.

He mentioned that businesses, financial transactions, and Point of Sale (POS) operations heavily rely on telecom networks.
“Telecommunications has become indispensable to our economy,” Mr Osoba said. He added that the committee was formed due to repeated complaints from subscribers about poor services.

He is worried that some of the invited companies sent junior staff or made excuses instead of their CEOs showing up.

He stated that the committee expects the CEOs to attend personally because they can explain the operational issues their companies face and what they are doing to solve them.

Another committee member, Ibe Osonwa (LP, Abia), also slammed the operators for ignoring the invitation.

Mr Osonwa said it is unacceptable for companies making a lot of money in Nigeria to ignore a request from the legislature, especially when the inquiry is about services that affect millions of their customers.

He insisted that the operators must be held responsible for the quality of their services and warned that the House would not let anyone hinder its investigation.

Mr Osoba then instructed the NCC to ensure that the committee's resolution is followed. He reminded the affected telecom companies that they must appear before the lawmakers on 28 October with the requested documents and explanations.