The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed Mobile Network Operators to compensate subscribers in areas where network quality falls below prescribed standards.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Head of Public Affairs at the Commission, Nnenna Ukoha, said affected users will receive airtime credits calculated based on their average spending patterns and their presence within local government areas where service failures occur.
“Subscribers should not be made to bear the full burden of service disruptions where operators fail to meet prescribed standards of service delivery.
“The compensation will be provided in the form of airtime credits, calculated based on subscribers’ average spending patterns and their presence within local government areas where service failures occur,” the commission said.
The NCC explained that the move is part of its broader consumer-focused regulatory philosophy, aimed at placing subscribers at the centre of Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem.
“Telecommunications services today underpin economic activity, social interaction, and access to digital opportunities. When service quality is poor, the consequences affect productivity, commercial activities, and even public confidence in our communications system,” the statement read.
The regulator also directed Tower Companies, which owns critical infrastructure such as masts, to reinvest fines levied against them into measurable infrastructure improvements to strengthen network performance.
The NCC added that it will continue deploying regulatory tools to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability, ensuring subscribers receive the quality of service they deserve.