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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has removed more than 450 illegal signal boosters across the Federal Capital Territory as part of a broader enforcement drive to improve the quality of telecom services nationwide.
The disclosure was made in a detailed response by the regulator to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, outlining steps already taken to strengthen transparency, enforcement, and service delivery in the sector.
According to the document, the illegal boosters—often deployed to amplify weak signals—were found to significantly degrade network performance in surrounding areas. “During 2025, the Commission’s enforcement teams removed over 450 illegal signal boosters across the Federal Capital Territory,” the NCC stated.
Follow-up assessments showed immediate improvements, with at least 70 network sites recording measurable performance gains. The commission said these improvements were confirmed through operator data, crowdsourced user feedback, and a noticeable decline in related consumer complaints.
The NCC noted that addressing persistent Quality of Service (QoS) challenges remains a central priority and will continue to shape its regulatory agenda in 2026. It said its approach is increasingly focused on transparency, faster regulatory response, and visible service improvements for consumers.
As part of efforts to boost accountability, the regulator said it has expanded public access to industry information to strengthen consumer confidence and encourage operators to improve Quality of Experience. It cited the approval of tariff adjustments in January 2025 as a calibrated move to support industry sustainability while safeguarding continued network investment.
According to the commission, the telecoms sector attracted over $1 billion in fresh capital in 2025, alongside the deployment of more than 2,850 new and upgraded network sites nationwide—investments it says are laying the groundwork for sustained service improvements.
On consumer protection, the NCC said it adopted a targeted complaints management strategy, focusing on the most frequent issues reported by subscribers: poor service quality, rapid data depletion, and failed transaction refunds.
To further improve transparency, operators are now required to notify subscribers of major outages and maintenance activities. The commission also launched a Major Outages Reporting Portal on its website, providing real-time information on network disruptions, affected areas, and remedial actions.
In October 2025, the NCC rolled out a crowdsourced National Coverage Map, allowing Nigerians to compare operator performance across locations using anonymised, near real-time user data. Quarterly industry performance reports were also introduced, offering state-by-state and regional breakdowns of connectivity, coverage, and signal quality for all mobile network operators.
The regulator said it now receives daily granular performance data from operators and colocation firms, complemented by the reintroduction of nationwide drive tests in 2025 after nearly a decade. These tests, conducted in both urban and rural areas, provide independent verification of operator-submitted and crowdsourced data.
To address complaints around data depletion, the NCC issued tariff simplification guidelines in November 2024, directing operators to reduce the number of tariff plans and adopt standardised disclosure tables to improve clarity for consumers.
The commission also highlighted revised corporate governance guidelines released in August 2025, giving licensees a 24-month transition period to meet higher standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
On enforcement, the NCC said updated Quality of Service regulations were completed in July 2024, extending obligations to colocation providers and introducing stiffer penalties for breaches. Revised enforcement process regulations, including new communications-related offences, are currently awaiting board approval and gazetting, expected in the second quarter of 2026.
Routine audits and spot checks remain in place. A fourth-quarter 2025 audit of 965 base stations in the FCT uncovered 5,557 infractions, with 81 per cent resolved by year-end, the commission said.
The NCC also outlined steps taken to implement the Critical National Information Infrastructure Executive Order, including mediation efforts that have resolved disputes in Kogi, Bauchi, and Osun states.
On failed airtime and data recharges, the commission said it is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria, operators, and financial institutions, noting that refunds exceeding ₦10 billion have already been facilitated. A formal refund framework is expected to launch in March 2026.
The regulator further disclosed that Globacom, Airtel, and IHS were fined a combined ₦45 million in October 2025, while additional infractions with potential liabilities of ₦12.4 billion are undergoing regulatory processing.
Beyond enforcement, the NCC said it approved spectrum trades and reassignments, reallocating about 50 MHz of underutilised spectrum. It added that assigning an additional contiguous 10 MHz to Globacom helped boost its average 4G download speeds from 9.5 Mbps to about 15 Mbps by late 2025.
The commission also revealed that Nigeria’s first Spectrum Roadmap for 2025–2030 has been drafted and will be released by March 2026, subject to board approval, to guide long-term spectrum management and service quality improvements.
At a recent virtual media briefing on the Q4 2025 Industry Performance Reports, the NCC said the data shows measurable improvements in network quality nationwide. Speaking at the session, the Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, said the reports reflect the commission’s commitment to evidence-based regulation and improved consumer experience.
“The commission has consistently affirmed its commitment to accountability, transparency, and a data-driven approach in implementing its mandate,” Ukoha said. “This includes generating accurate, timely data and ensuring it is clearly communicated to the Nigerian public.”
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