Telecommunications subscribers across Nigeria have called for adequate compensation from service providers following persistent network disruptions affecting voice calls, data services and digital transactions nationwide.
The subscribers made the call in separate interviews with the Sources on Monday in Abuja, expressing frustration over frequent service outages, poor connectivity and inconsistent internet speeds.
Some of the respondents said the disruptions had negatively impacted their businesses, communication and access to essential online services, including banking and remote work.
“I rely heavily on mobile data for my online business, but the network has been unreliable for weeks. It is only fair that providers compensate us for the losses incurred,” a subscriber, Mrs. Halima Sani, said.
Another respondent, Mr. Chinedu Okafor, said telecom operators should be held accountable for service failures, noting that subscribers continue to pay for services that are not optimally delivered.
Industry stakeholders, however, attributed the disruptions to multiple challenges, including infrastructure vandalism, power supply constraints and high operational costs.
A telecom analyst, Mr. Tunde Adebayo, explained that while compensation demands were justified, systemic issues affecting the sector must also be addressed.
“Operators are grappling with rising costs of diesel, foreign exchange volatility and security challenges affecting infrastructure. These factors inevitably impact service delivery,” he said.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the sector’s regulator, has reiterated its commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring quality of service.
In a recent statement, the NCC said it had mechanisms in place for monitoring service quality and addressing consumer complaints, adding that operators found wanting could face sanctions in line with regulatory provisions.
The commission also urged subscribers to report service issues through official complaint channels to enable prompt resolution and regulatory action where necessary.
Meanwhile, telecom operators have appealed for patience, assuring customers that efforts were underway to improve network performance through infrastructure upgrades and increased investment.
Analysts note that compensation frameworks in the telecommunications sector remain limited, with calls growing for clearer policies that would mandate service credits or refunds during prolonged outages.
They emphasised that improving service quality and ensuring accountability would boost consumer confidence and support Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
