The Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that telecommunications operators are investing heavily in network expansion, with plans to deploy more than 12,000 additional coverage and capacity sites nationwide, while over 75 million subscribers have already benefited from compensation for poor quality of service experiences.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Commission’s 109th Board Meeting held on May 25, 2026, where members reviewed key regulatory, strategic and operational issues affecting Nigeria’s telecommunications industry and digital economy.
According to the Board, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have intensified efforts to improve network coverage, capacity and overall customer experience, with more than 5,000 of the planned 12,000 sites already completed, representing over 40 percent progress.
The Board also noted significant improvements in transmission infrastructure, revealing that fibre connectivity has been extended to more than 700 sites to enhance network resilience, backhaul capacity and service reliability. Additionally, infrastructure-sharing companies have upgraded equipment across more than 2,000 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to support network expansion and compliance with quality-of-service standards.
On consumer protection, the Board reviewed the implementation of directives requiring telecom operators to compensate customers affected by poor service delivery and directed infrastructure providers to reinvest regulatory fines into network upgrades.
It expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance by operators, noting that compensation had been provided to over 75 million subscribers affected by service disruptions. The Commission, however, said it would continue validating operators’ claims to ensure all eligible consumers receive the required compensation.
The Board also observed that tower companies had only partially complied with directives requiring them to fund escrow accounts with the full value of regulatory fines for infrastructure reinvestment. It stressed the need for full compliance to guarantee sustainable improvements in network quality and resilience.
Addressing Nigeria’s growing appetite for data services, the Board acknowledged that demand continues to outpace infrastructure capacity, with heavy reliance on mobile broadband and duplication of infrastructure contributing to service quality challenges.
It highlighted encouraging growth in Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) subscriptions, which rose from 84,141 in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 210,065 subscribers by the fifth quarter of 2025. The Board said expanded fibre deployment would reduce pressure on mobile networks, improve service quality and provide consumers with more connectivity options.
The Commission also revealed that it is reviewing the structure of the telecommunications market to reflect evolving realities in the wholesale and retail segments. The Board noted that broader access to wholesale backbone fibre and metropolitan fibre networks would lower connectivity costs, support more affordable retail data services and strengthen network resilience.
Reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, the Board described expanded fibre infrastructure as the most sustainable pathway for meeting the nation’s data needs over the next decade and supporting the Federal Government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
The meeting further examined persistent challenges facing operators, particularly infrastructure vandalism, which continues to hinder industry growth. While commending ongoing efforts by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps following the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), the Board called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to safeguard network assets.
To strengthen infrastructure security, the Board said it would fast-track initiatives, including exploring the establishment of a Communications Industry Security Trust Fund.
The Board also reviewed ongoing engagements aimed at developing a framework for zero-rating educational platforms and content, an initiative designed to promote digital inclusion, bridge the urban-rural connectivity gap and improve educational outcomes across the country.
Meanwhile, the Board approved interim appointments to reposition the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and address governance gaps arising from expired board tenures.
As part of the restructuring, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, a Non-Executive Commissioner of the NCC, was appointed Interim Chairman of the DBI Governing Board. Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, and Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, were also appointed as interim members of the Board.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by the Commission to promote a sustainable, inclusive and competitive communications sector, with continued focus on quality of service, network resilience, consumer protection, transparency, fair competition and market discipline.
