The House of Representatives has threatened to issue arrest warrants against the Chief Executive Officers of major telecom operators in Nigeria over poor network services.
The House Ad-hoc Committee investigating poor telecommunications services said the CEOs of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other providers failed to honour its summons.
The committee, chaired by Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC – Ogun), had invited the telecom bosses to appear before it on October 28, 2026, to explain why Nigerians continue to suffer call drops, slow internet and total blackout in many areas.
At the sitting on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, appeared to represent the companies, but the lawmakers rejected him. The committee insisted that the CEOs must appear in person.
Rep. Osoba has now given them a final deadline of November 4, 2026, to appear. He warned that failure to comply will lead to arrest warrants.
The lawmakers also directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure the CEOs comply.
Committee member, Rep. Sunday Umeha (APC – Enugu), said the telcos cannot hide under their association, stating that the National Assembly has constitutional power under Section 88 to summon them.
House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, also raised alarm that lack of network coverage is now a security threat, revealing that two traditional rulers in his Ekiti constituency were killed in an area without mobile network to call for help.
It would be recalled that the NCC recently disclosed that over 75 million subscribers have received airtime compensation for poor service this year alone.
Details to follow…
