Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that mobile network operators and tower companies invested about N2.5tn in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025 as authorities intensify efforts to improve telecom service delivery across the country.
The commission made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha.
According to the regulator, mobile network operators invested over N2.13tn in network infrastructure and upgrades, while tower companies committed an additional N373.8bn to the sector during the year.
The NCC stated that the investments supported the addition and upgrade of more than 2,800 telecommunications sites nationwide, helping to close coverage and capacity gaps in several areas.
The commission acknowledged growing public dissatisfaction over poor telecom services, including dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data connections, and recurring network disruptions.
“The Commission recognises the frustration experienced by consumers when calls drop, internet speeds slow down, data services become unstable, or service disruptions affect daily activities,” the statement said.
According to the NCC, improving Quality of Service has remained one of its major regulatory priorities over the past two years, prompting intensified monitoring of mobile operators, internet service providers, and tower companies.
The regulator explained that the telecom industry is currently undergoing one of its largest network expansion and modernisation programmes in recent years after a prolonged period of under-investment.
The ongoing upgrades include the deployment of faster 4G and 5G infrastructure, expansion of fibre backhaul systems, replacement of ageing network equipment, and improved coverage in underserved communities and high-demand urban centres.
The commission stressed that while the investments are encouraging, consumers must begin to experience measurable improvements in service quality.
The NCC further disclosed that operators committed to adding and upgrading over 12,000 telecom sites in 2026, with nearly 3,000 sites already completed. It also revealed that more than 730 additional 5G sites had been deployed across 27 states this year.
According to the commission, 4G penetration increased from 45 per cent in January 2024 to 54 per cent currently, while national median download speeds rose from 16.5 megabits per second to 20 megabits per second within the same period.
The regulator also stated that power availability at telecom towers improved from a national average of 99.3 per cent in January 2025 to 99.7 per cent currently.
Despite the progress, the NCC admitted that subscribers in several areas still experience poor call quality, network congestion, and slow internet speeds.
The commission identified major infrastructure challenges affecting network performance, including vandalism, theft of telecom equipment, fibre cuts linked to road construction, power disruptions, and denial of maintenance access to operators.
According to the NCC, more than 27,000 avoidable fibre-cut incidents were recorded nationwide in 2025 alone, significantly affecting service quality and network reliability.
The regulator said it is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders to implement the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure.
It added that the collaboration has helped disrupt criminal syndicates involved in the theft and resale of telecom infrastructure.
The NCC also directed operators to notify customers whenever major network outages occur and restore affected services within approved timelines. Major incidents are now being tracked through the commission’s Major Network Outages Reporting Portal.
The commission stated that enforcement of the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024 began in November 2025, including consumer compensation measures and additional investment obligations for tower companies where service failures are identified.
“This enforcement will continue, and where operators fail to deliver measurable improvements, the Commission will take appropriate regulatory action,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, recently warned telecom operators that they could face sanctions if they fail to improve service quality across the country.
The minister stressed that Nigerians deserve reliable telecommunications services and value for money spent on voice and data services.
