Telecom
IDC Urges Govt, Operators to Resolve Nigeria’s Innate Service Conundrum
While the Nigerian telecommunications sector has witnessed phenomenal growth since the turn of the millennium, the time has come for operators and government agencies alike to act in tandem to stem the unacceptable levels of service quality that continue to plague the industry.
That’s the opinion of global research and advisory services firm International Data Corporation (IDC) as it weighs up the Nigeria Communication Commission’s latest strategy for bringing offending operators into line and assesses the deeper issues involved in achieving true quality of service (QoS).
From just 400,000 lines in 2001, Nigeria’s mobile market has grown to total 120 million users today, with mobile phone penetration reaching 87% of the population.
But poor QoS remains the bane of the Nigerian telecommunications industry, with all four mobile network operators falling foul of the regulator at various times over the years.
Indeed, in February this year Airtel, Globacom, and MTN were handed month-long bans from selling SIM cards and suspended from engaging in any promotional activity until their QoS levels reached the required standards.
But will such stringent measures finally have the desired effect?
“Banning sales of SIM cards is a new hammer for the regulatory body, and one it has introduced in an attempt to compel operators to comply with its stated QoS standards,” said Oluwole Babatope a telecommunications and networking research analyst with IDC West Africa.
“Fines and limitations on marketing activities were the traditional sanctions of choice for the NCC, so this latest action marks a significant shift in thinking. However, IDC believes the ban on selling SIM cards will likely be as ineffective as the previous tactics because there is much more to enabling effective QoS than mere input or effort from the operator side,” he stated.
The acquisition of land, together with government taxes, informal levies from various ‘community youth organizations’, and the high cost of generating power, all demand huge capital and operational investments from telecom operators in the country.
They have also consistently invested large amounts into their networks, but such efforts have often been ineffective due to the lack of infrastructure in the country, which is a key reason why the quality of the mobile services they provide has remained so poor.
Another critical factor is security, with numerous reports over the last two years of widespread and persistent vandalism of fiber cables, theft of diesel generators from cell sites, and destruction of fiber cables destruction during road construction.
The way forward is for the government to protect rather than persecute this sector of the economy. “The telecommunications vertical in Nigeria has consistently increased its contribution to GDP over recent years, rising from about 2% in 2006 to 8% in 2013,” said Babatope. “As such, it is in the government’s interests to create and implement policies that provide an enabling environment for communication service providers. Indeed, laws should be established that protect telecommunications infrastructure and prosecute the vandals and individuals who sabotage telecom operations in the country.”
None of this absolves the operators of all responsibility, however.
“IDC is also of the opinion that operators must invest more in hybrid power solutions,” continued Babatope. “After all, it is common knowledge that the supply of public electricity is unreliable and will likely remain a significant challenge for some time to come.
“Operators should therefore be proactive in seeking out cost-effective alternatives for power generation. Hybrid power solutions, which combine renewable and non-renewable energy sources, should help reduce operational expenditure on networks, thereby enabling the operators to invest more in their networks across the country and ultimately improve the customer experience.”
Meta may shut down its Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in protest against the substantial fines imposed by multiple government agencies.
The tech giant has been ordered to pay nearly $300 million in fines in Africa’s most populous nation, following regulatory demands which Meta described as “unrealistic.”
In July 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), imposed a $220 million fine on Meta for allegedly discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.
The commission stated that Meta had failed to engage a Data Protection Compliance Organisation and had not submitted a Nigeria Data Protection Regulation audit report for two consecutive years.
Similarly, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), demanded $37.5 million over unapproved advertising, while the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), announced a $32.8 million fine for an alleged data privacy breach.
Meta challenged the decisions at the Federal High Court in Abuja but was unsuccessful, as the court upheld the fines in a ruling delivered last week.
The court directed the company to comply with payment by the end of June, but Meta has indicated it may not do so, according to the BBC.
“The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” the company stated in court documents.
Responding to the NDPC’s assertion that Meta’s data processing could expose Nigerian users to health and financial risks, the company said the agency had failed to “properly interpret the laws guiding data privacy.”
As the Premier League season enters its final stretch, MTN Nigeria is set to stage simultaneous watch parties in Abuja and Uyo on Sunday, May 4, giving football fans a shared space to experience the highs and lows of matchday.
The events, scheduled for Farm City in Wuse and Pyramid Lounge & Grill in Uyo, are expected to attract large turnouts as MTN continues to deepen its connection with football audiences nationwide.
The line-up for the day includes four Premier League fixtures, culminating in a marquee showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool. Earlier games such as Brentford vs Manchester United, Brighton vs Newcastle, and West Ham vs Tottenham will round out a packed viewing schedule. With top four ambitions, title races, and European dreams on the line, the fixtures promise high-stakes drama and entertainment.
MTN’s EPL watch parties have grown into a recurring highlight for fans who want more than just a screen, they want atmosphere. This weekend’s events will feature expansive screen setups, branded fan zones, and side attractions including live trivia and merchandise giveaways.
For MTN, the activations represent an opportunity to tap into the communal spirit of football, a sport that unites Nigerians across regions and loyalties. The brand’s involvement in football has steadily evolved from sponsorship to full-scale experiences, allowing it to build affinity with youth audiences and sports lovers alike.
In recent years, MTN has emerged as a key driver of fan engagement through its partnership with SuperSport and broader investment in Nigeria’s football ecosystem. These dual-city events reflect that strategy in motion, bringing the Premier League closer to the streets and ensuring fans are not just spectators, but participants in the global game.
With anticipation running high and bragging rights on the line, Sunday’s watch parties are shaping up to be a celebration of sport, identity, and the power of community on and off the pitch.
Telecommunications services disrupted in Kogi State have resumed following a resolution of the dispute between MTN Nigeria and the state government, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, told TVC News that the issues that led to the shutdown of telecom masts in the state, primarily affecting MTN, had been addressed, paving the way for service restoration.
TVC News earlier reported that businessmen and women were counting their losses as they suffered the impact of a shut down of telecommunication service in Kogi State
Over the past two weeks, telecoms connectivity had been erratic, with competing brands experiencing glitches, particularly in the Lokoja metropolis.
The State government suspended the operations of some telecom services citing unpaid taxes and fibre-related dues.
The shutdown stemmed from a compliance dispute between MTN and the Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency, which accused the telecom giant of violating operational rules and under-declaring the extent of its optic fibre network coverage in the state.
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