NCC Orders Telcos to Compensate Subscribers with Airtime

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to compensate subscribers with airtime credits for poor network service quality. This announcement was made by the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Maida, during a media breakfast meeting in Lagos on Thursday.

The NCC's directive follows a verification process that identified service failures in several parts of the country, which did not meet the minimum quality service standards. Affected subscribers will receive airtime credits for service lapses recorded between November 2025 and January 2026, with beneficiaries being notified of the compensation.

The NCC has warned that sanctions may be imposed on operators who fail to comply with this directive. This compensation framework is part of a broader effort to improve accountability and restore consumer confidence in the telecommunications sector.

The NCC is also monitoring key performance indicators such as data speed and latency, while telecom operators plan to upgrade 12,000 base stations by 2026, with 300 upgrades expected to be completed by 2025.