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

The House of Representatives in Nigeria has ordered the chief executive officers of major telecommunications firms to appear before a legislative committee within seven days. Lawmakers demanded this action following persistent complaints regarding the deterioration of network services across the country. The deadline for these appearances is set for October 28. The directive targets the heads of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and Mafab Communications Ltd. These leaders must present themselves to the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating poor telecommunications quality. The committee issued this ultimatum during a public hearing held in Abuja on Wednesday. Several invited operators had previously failed to attend earlier sessions. The resolution stems from two motions sponsored by Sunday Umeha of the APC party from Enugu and Afam Ogene of the NDC party from Anambra. The committee instructed the Nigerian Communications Commission to enforce compliance. Operators must arrive at 2 p.m. on October 28 in Hearing Room 447 of the New Building at the National Assembly Complex. They are required to submit relevant documents prior to the session. The goal is to obtain explanations for the decline in service quality, which impacts millions of subscribers and businesses. The committee warned that any CEO who fails to honor the invitation could face further legal summons. Olumide Osoba, chairman of the committee and an APC representative from Ogun, stated that reliable telecommunications have become indispensable to the Nigerian economy. He noted that sectors such as finance, business operations, and Point of Sale systems rely heavily on stable networks. Osoba expressed frustration that some companies sent junior officials instead of their top executives. He argued that only the CEOs can adequately explain operational challenges and corrective measures. Ibe Osonwa, a committee member from Abia representing the LP party, criticized the operators for disregarding the legislature. He called it unacceptable for companies earning substantial revenue in Nigeria to ignore such invitations. Osonwa emphasized that the House would not tolerate efforts to frustrate the investigation into service quality. The committee expects personal attendance from the executives. This ensures accountability for the services provided to millions of customers. The NCC has been tasked with ensuring all affected operators comply with the resolution. The hearing aims to address recurring subscriber complaints about poor service delivery. The legislators seek clarity on why network performance has dropped despite high revenue generation. The upcoming session will focus on specific operational issues and remediation plans. Failure to appear may lead to escalated enforcement actions against the non-compliant executives. The process highlights the growing tension between regulatory bodies and private sector telecom providers in Nigeria.