The Nigerian Senate has summoned major telecommunications operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2, alongside the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), over persistent complaints of poor network services and unexplained airtime deductions affecting subscribers across the country.
The lawmakers want the telecommunications companies to explain why Nigerians continue to lose airtime on calls that fail to connect, terminate unexpectedly or suffer interruptions due to network problems.
They are also seeking measures to ensure that subscribers are not charged for services they did not receive.
The affected operators and the NCC are expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Communications, chaired by Senator Aliyu Ikra Bilbis, representing Zamfara Central.
The committee has been directed to investigate the complaints, determine the extent of financial losses suffered by telecommunications subscribers and submit its findings to the Senate within four weeks.
The investigation will focus on several issues, including deductions from failed calls, dropped calls, prematurely terminated conversations and charges that subscribers consider excessive or unjustified.
Moreover, the Senate wants the committee to establish whether telecommunications companies have adequate mechanisms to protect customers from financial losses resulting from poor network performance.
The resolution followed the consideration of a motion titled “Need to curb unjustified deductions from subscribers’ airtime resulting from substandard telecommunications services through robust consumer protection.”
The motion was sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru, who presented the motion on behalf of Monguno, drew attention to the difficulties faced by subscribers who are charged for calls that are never successfully completed.
She highlighted the need for stronger consumer protection measures and greater accountability from telecommunications service providers.
According to the lawmakers, poor network connectivity has become a recurring problem for millions of Nigerians who depend on mobile telephone services for communication, business transactions, education and other daily activities.
Subscribers frequently complain about calls that fail to connect despite repeated attempts.
Others experience situations where conversations terminate unexpectedly after airtime has already been deducted.
In some cases, customers are forced to dial the same number several times before getting through.
Each attempt can result in additional airtime deductions, even when the service remains unreliable.
The Senate expressed concern that the situation places an unnecessary financial burden on subscribers, particularly those who depend on mobile phones for their livelihoods.
Traders, students, small business owners and low-income earners were identified among those who could suffer considerably from repeated deductions caused by unsuccessful calls.
The lawmakers maintained that telecommunications companies must take responsibility for the quality of services they provide and ensure that customers receive value for their money.
They acknowledged that network disruptions may sometimes occur due to technical difficulties and other operational challenges.
However, they argued that subscribers should not be expected to bear the financial consequences of failures beyond their control.
Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North under the APC, seconded the motion and described the proposed intervention as a direct effort to protect telecommunications consumers.
He noted that the complaints affect virtually every Nigerian who relies on mobile communication services.
Nwoko also questioned the contrast between the quality of telecommunications services available in Nigeria and the seamless connectivity experienced in some other countries.
He maintained that Nigerians should not continue paying for unreliable services without adequate protection or compensation when network failures affect their calls.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the investigation must go beyond routine engagements with telecommunications companies.
He insisted that the NCC, the supervising minister and the affected operators must provide satisfactory explanations for the persistent complaints from subscribers.
Akpabio warned that the Senate could take further legislative steps if the explanations and proposed solutions fail to address the problems.
He indicated that the matter could be escalated to a Committee of the Whole for more extensive consideration and possible action by the entire Senate.
The four-week deadline given to the Committee on Communications is expected to provide a timeframe for the investigation and presentation of recommendations.