NCC Orders Compensation for 75 Million Subscribers

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) disclosed that mobile operators in Nigeria will compensate 75 million subscribers for substandard network services. This decision follows a directive issued on March 29, 2026, mandating operators to automatically issue airtime credits to affected customers based on average spending and service quality.

The NCC's communiqué, released after its 109th board meeting on May 25, 2026, noted significant progress in enforcing quality service obligations across the mobile network. The compensation exercise aims to address ongoing consumer complaints regarding dropped calls, slow data speeds, and inconsistent network coverage.

The NCC emphasized the importance of full compliance with regulatory standards and acknowledged the need for continued investment in network infrastructure, with operators planning to invest N1.86 trillion in 2026 for network expansion and technology upgrades. The commission also highlighted challenges such as infrastructure vandalism and the rising demand for data, which strain network capacity.