Telcos Blame Government As Nigerians File 2.5 Million Complaints In 18 Months

…Operators Cite Insecurity, Rising Costs, Fibre Vandalism

…Insist Nigeria’s Telecom Tariffs Are Among The Lowest

Nigerians filed more than 2.5 million complaints against telecommunications operators between January 2025 and June 2026, amid persistent concerns over poor network quality, dropped calls, slow internet connectivity and failed transactions, NEWSNGR analysis of the Nigerian Communications Commission data reveals.

The complaints came as telecom operators blamed rising demand for services, increasing operating costs, insecurity, fibre-optic cable vandalism and damage to infrastructure during government road construction for persistent service disruptions.

Data from the NCC’s Consumer Complaints Portal show that MTN, Airtel, Glo and T2 Mobile recorded a combined 2,032,651 complaints in 2025.

Airtel accounted for the highest number with 902,318 complaints, followed by MTN with 760,917, Glo with 364,575 and T2 Mobile with 4,841.

The data show that as of half a year, 2026, Airtel received 327,808 complaints, Glo received 68683 complaints, MTN 157092 complaints and T2 Mobile 4963 complaints. In total, the complaints between January and June, 2026, stood at 558,546.

Further review also shows that as of August, 2026, the number of telephony subscribers in the country stood at 197.416 million an increase from the 195.108 million recorded in July, 2026.

Already, Nigerians who spoke to NEWSNGR lamented instances of poor services gotten while also alleging they are over charged for services rendered.

For instance, a respondent who identified herself as Yetunde Adeyemi told NEWSNGR that she patronised one of the network providers by purchasing a router but could not utilise it due to poor internet service.

“When I bought the router, I expected to enjoy it for my internet services but I could not use it because the network was entirely poor.”

Yetunde further noted that she had received messages from the network provider of better services in her area but that did not lead to any change.

“Infact they sent me messages that the mast in my area has been upgraded and works even better but the situation was not even better,” she told this newspaper.

Another respondent noted that on a number of occasions he experienced call disruptions that could be frustrating.

“I wanted to make an urgent call and my network kept going off and on, it was frustrating,” the respondent noted.

In October, 2026, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was reported as disclosing that 75 million subscribers received airtime compensation for poor telecommunications service in 2026, while nearly three million others have been refunded for failed airtime and data purchases.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, disclosed this at the 95th Telecom Consumer Parliament held in Lagos, amid persistent concerns over dropped calls, slow internet connectivity and failed transactions.

Speaking to NEWSNGR newspaper on the developments, the Chairman of the ‘Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators’ Gbenga Adebayo stated that telecommunication companies are heavily investing.

“We are investing per time for better infrastructure but the truth is the demands keep increasing per day. You could increase the capacity at this moment and you realise that because of the demand, that enlarged capacity has been utilised, so you need to keep investing.”

He also blamed the Nigerian government for issues faced in bid to deliver good services.

“Sometimes our fibres are destroyed during road construction by the Nigerian government. This is the same government that gives right of way, so they should know where the fibres are located. When the fibres are destroyed, it takes time to get them repaired.”

Adebayo noted that vandalisation and insecurity has also not made it easy for telecommunication operators.

“We have many instances of our facilities destroyed at different places, people tamper with key equipment and this has really affected us, this insecurity does not make provision of service any easier. This is why it is better that if you see something as a Nigerian, you should say something.”

He further lampooned the rising cost of doing business especially in places where there is no national grid.

“A number of places do not have a national grid in the country and you are expected to provide services, solar power can only support our services but cannot be sufficient. The price of diesel last year was around N900 and this year around N2000, the same with the price of fueling, yet the tariffs are not increased commensurate with this,” he told NEWSNGR.

He also alleged that locals sometimes do not allow construction of important facilities in their vicinity.

He admitted that telecommunication remains pivotal in day to day running, he however noted that efforts are being put in place to ensure better service delivery.

“We cannot say that there isn’t more to be done, there is need to do more from time to time but we are trying our best to ensure optimal services.”

He also denied that Nigerians are overcharged by Telecommunications companies, saying the amount paid for services is equal to the value gotten.

“Nigerians pay less, what Nigerians are paying in terms of provided services, reflects the services they are getting, it’s not an overcharge, you know cheaper is relative, what is cheap for you may not be cheap for me, so I would say there is value for what is being paid, there is no overcharge. If you look at other sectors of the country, you will manage where there is no power for one or two hours, you will manage, you will use power banks, take a walk, if your flight is delayed, you rely on your phone to communicate but when there is no network, there is no alternative.”

The House of Representatives in May criticised the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over what it described as weak regulatory oversight, blaming the agency for persistent poor telecom services across the country.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Ahmadu Jaha (APC, Borno), who represents Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency during Wednesday’s plenary.

Leading debate on the motion, Jaha said telecommunications had become central to Nigeria’s economy and daily life but lamented the widening gap between subscriber expectations and actual service delivery.