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The House of Representatives has threatened to issue warrants of arrest against telecommunications company chief executives who fail to appear before its ad hoc committee investigating persistent poor network services across Nigeria.
The committee has directed the executives to appear in person by 4 November 2026 to explain recurring service failures affecting subscribers nationwide. The warning followed lawmakers’ rejection of a request by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) to represent the companies through its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo.
Chaired by Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), the committee insisted that chief executives and senior management officials must personally account for their companies’ service delivery and regulatory obligations rather than delegate responsibility to an industry association.
The operators invited include MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other licensed telecommunications companies.
Lawmakers reject industry association’s representation
The committee summoned the operators to address complaints involving dropped calls, slow internet connections, failed airtime and data transactions, and inadequate network coverage in several communities.
However, the companies reportedly sought representation through Adebayo, prompting objections from lawmakers who argued that each operator must answer individually for its performance.
Moving a motion on the matter, House member Sunday Umeha said the operators held separate licences issued by the Federal Government and could not rely on their membership of an industry association to avoid appearing before the committee.
He also criticised a letter reportedly submitted by ALTON questioning the committee’s authority to compel the operators to attend the hearing.
“I was shocked with what I saw in the letter. I saw a situation where ALTON is saying that they are not bound to appear before this committee. They see their appearance as a privilege to this committee and not as a statutory obligation. We have the powers to compel their appearance before us in accordance with the Constitution,” Umeha said.
Citing Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, he argued that the National Assembly had the authority to investigate matters within its legislative competence, including the implementation of government policies.
Umeha maintained that the committee was not bound by ALTON’s internal arrangements and that individual operators must attend unless the committee expressly approved representation.
NCC confirms invitations were sent to telecom executives
A representative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) told the committee that invitations had been communicated directly to the companies’ chief executives.
Umeha recalled that lawmakers had considered seeking the executives’ arrest at an earlier sitting but decided to give them another opportunity to comply.
He said the operators had again failed to honour the invitation despite further communication facilitated through the NCC.
The committee’s decision to set another appearance date places the operators under renewed pressure to explain the service failures and respond to questions about their respective performance.
Lawmakers raise security concerns over network gaps
House spokesman Akin Rotimi, who seconded the motion, also faulted ALTON’s attempt to represent the operators. He argued that subscribers dealt directly with individual service providers and were entitled to demand accountability from each company.
Rotimi raised concerns about poor network coverage in parts of his constituency in Ekiti State, warning that the absence of mobile signals in some communities and along major roads could create serious security risks.
He alleged that two traditional rulers in his constituency had been killed in an ambush along a road where mobile network signals were unavailable for about 20 minutes.
According to the lawmaker, such connectivity gaps could prevent residents and travellers from contacting security agencies or requesting emergency assistance when confronted with danger.
He also accused telecommunications operators of prioritising commercially attractive locations for infrastructure investment while leaving some rural communities and underserved areas with inadequate coverage.
The concerns highlight the broader implications of unreliable telecommunications services beyond customer inconvenience, particularly where mobile connectivity is essential for emergency communication and access to security services.
Committee questions ALTON chairman over Globacom fine
Lawmakers also questioned Adebayo about a reported N8.46 billion fine imposed on Globacom, raising concerns about whether the ALTON chairman could adequately address regulatory and operational issues involving an individual operator while representing the industry association.
The exchange reinforced the committee’s position that each telecommunications company should be prepared to respond directly to questions concerning its own operations, compliance obligations and service delivery.
The hearing forms part of the House’s efforts to examine persistent network quality problems and establish accountability among licensed operators.
Telecom operators given until 4 November
Following deliberations, Osoba put Umeha’s motion to a voice vote, and lawmakers adopted it. The committee subsequently adjourned its sitting until 4 November 2026, when the operators are expected to appear.
The threatened arrest warrants signal the committee’s determination to secure the executives’ attendance as its investigation continues.
For subscribers, the central issue remains whether the inquiry will lead to measurable improvements in call quality, internet performance, transaction reliability and network coverage, particularly in communities that continue to experience persistent connectivity problems.
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