Reps summon MTN, Airtel, Glo CEOs over poor network quality

The House of Representatives has given the chief executive officers of major telecommunications companies seven days to appear before it and explain the persistent deterioration in network services across Nigeria.

The companies, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom (Glo) and Mafab Communications Ltd., are expected to appear before the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the poor quality of telecommunications services on 28 October.

The committee issued the ultimatum at a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday after several invited operators failed to appear.

The resolution followed the adoption of two motions sponsored by Sunday Umeha (APC, Enugu) and Afam Ogene (NDC, Anambra)

The committee directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that all affected telecommunications operators comply with the invitation and appear at 2 p.m. on 28 October in Hearing Room 447 of the New Building of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The operators were also directed to submit relevant documents to the committee before the hearing and provide explanations for the decline in service quality, which has affected millions of subscribers and businesses.

The committee warned that chief executives who fail to honour the invitation could be summoned to appear.

Why the CEOs must appear

Chairman of the committee, Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), said reliable telecommunications services had become essential to Nigeria’s economy, with their importance extending beyond calls and internet access.

He cited businesses, financial transactions, and Point of Sale (POS) operations as activities that depend heavily on telecommunications networks.

“Telecommunications has become indispensable to our economy,” Mr Osoba said, adding that the committee was constituted in response to recurring complaints from subscribers over poor services.

He expressed concern that some of the invited companies had avoided direct engagement with the committee by sending junior officials or offering excuses for the absence of their chief executives.

READ ALSO: MTN, Gates Foundation launch AI initiative to improve maternal healthcare in Nigeria

According to him, the committee expects the CEOs to appear personally because they are in a position to explain the operational challenges facing their companies and the measures being taken to address them.

Another committee member, Ibe Osonwa (LP, Abia), also criticised the operators for failing to honour the invitation.

Mr Osonwa said it was unacceptable for companies generating substantial revenue from the Nigerian market to disregard an invitation from the legislature, particularly when the inquiry concerned services affecting millions of their customers.

He said the operators must be held accountable for the quality of services they provide and warned that the House would not allow attempts to frustrate its investigation.

Mr Osoba subsequently directed the NCC to ensure compliance with the committee’s resolution and reiterated that the affected telecommunications companies must appear before the lawmakers on 28 October with the requested documents and explanations.