As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, stakeholders have called on telecommunication companies to prioritize robust and inclusive services to meet the growing demand for reliable connectivity.
Industry leaders, government officials, and consumer advocates have raised concerns about persistent challenges such as frequent network disruptions, slow internet speeds, and limited rural connectivity. These issues, they argue, are hindering both business operations and individual users’ access to essential services.
Speaking on the matter, President of the Nigerian Digital Economy Forum, Dr. Adewale Yusuf, emphasized the critical role of telecommunications in driving economic development. He stated, “Telecommunication is the backbone of Nigeria’s digital transformation. Yet, inadequate services and poor infrastructure have created barriers to growth, innovation, and digital inclusion.”
Dr. Yusuf highlighted the increasing reliance on digital platforms for education, e-commerce, healthcare, and financial services, noting that current telecom services are insufficient to meet the demands of Nigeria’s rapidly growing population.
Subscribers Demand Quality Services in 2025
In a chat with New Telegraph, the National President of the Association of Telephone Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), Prince Sina Bilesanmi, expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of telecom services. He warned that subscribers would no longer tolerate poor service delivery in 2025.
“Subscribers must get value for their money, even if they pay kobo for services,” Bilesanmi said. He urged telecom operators to invest heavily in expanding network coverage, particularly in underserved rural areas, to bridge the digital divide and enable greater access to digital resources.
Bilesanmi also called on telecom companies to adopt advanced technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve network stability and speed. Additionally, he stressed the need for affordable data and call tariffs, advocating for inclusivity, especially for low-income earners.
“They are agitating for tariff increases, whereas we don’t get value for what we pay for,” Bilesanmi remarked. “If they want to review their tariffs, they must first improve their services and engage us in discussions so that stakeholders can agree on any changes.”
Addressing Cybersecurity and Regulation Compliance
Amid increasing online activities, stakeholders have also emphasized the need for telcos to adopt robust cybersecurity measures to protect users from digital threats.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged to work closely with telecom operators to ensure compliance with service quality benchmarks. In a statement, the NCC reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a thriving telecom sector while holding operators accountable for service delivery.
“We are committed to creating a conducive environment for telecom operators to thrive. However, we will not hesitate to impose penalties on companies that fail to meet the standards expected by Nigerians,” the NCC stated.
Collaboration for a Thriving Telecom Sector
Stakeholders agreed that collaboration between telcos, regulators, and the government is essential to ensure reliable and affordable connectivity for all Nigerians.
With these commitments, there is optimism that Nigeria’s telecommunications sector will rise to the occasion, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and development in 2025 and beyond.
