REPS SUMMON MTN, AIRTEL AND GLO BOSSES OVER POOR NETWORK SERVICES, THREATEN ARREST SUMMONS

By NaijaParrot October 22, 2026 

 ABUJA, NIGERIA — The House of Representatives has summoned the chief executive officers of major telecommunications companies, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom (Glo), to explain the persistent poor quality of network services across the country. The lawmakers have directed the telecom operators to appear before an ad hoc committee investigating the problem on October 28, 2026, warning that executives who fail to honour the invitation could face arrest summons to compel their attendance. According to reports published by Premium Times, The Punch and The Guardian, the directive was issued during a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday, October 21, following concerns about the failure of some invited operators to attend previous meetings.

Apart from MTN, Airtel and Glo, the committee has invited Mafab Communications Limited and other telecommunications service providers to appear before it. The companies are expected to attend the hearing at 2 p.m. on October 28 at Hearing Room 447 of the New Building of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. The committee has also directed the operators to submit relevant documents ahead of the meeting and explain the factors responsible for the persistent decline in service quality. The investigation follows recurring complaints from subscribers about unstable internet connections, dropped calls, slow data speeds and unreliable network coverage. 

 The committee chairman, Olumide Osoba, expressed dissatisfaction with the failure of some telecommunications companies to honour earlier invitations. He reportedly raised concerns that some operators had sent lower-ranking officials or offered excuses instead of allowing their chief executives to engage directly with lawmakers. Osoba said the committee expected the chief executives to appear personally because they were better positioned to explain their companies’ operational difficulties, service obligations and plans to improve network performance. Another member of the committee, Ibe Osonwa, also criticised the operators for failing to respond adequately to the legislature’s invitation. Osonwa maintained that telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria should be prepared to account for the quality of services delivered to their customers, particularly when network failures affect millions of people and businesses. 

 The lawmakers noted that reliable telecommunications services are essential to Nigeria’s economy, extending beyond ordinary phone calls and internet browsing. Businesses, electronic payments, banking services and Point of Sale (POS) transactions increasingly depend on stable network connections. Poor connectivity can delay payments, interrupt commercial activities, prevent customers from completing transactions and cause financial losses for businesses that rely on mobile networks. The committee is expected to question the operators about the causes of the persistent service problems and the measures being taken to address subscribers’ complaints.  

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been directed to ensure that the affected telecommunications companies comply with the invitation. The regulator is expected to facilitate the operators’ appearance and ensure they provide the requested documents and explanations before the hearing. The October 28 meeting is expected to give lawmakers an opportunity to examine the challenges facing network providers and seek commitments towards improving service delivery. However, the outcome of the investigation and any further measures against the companies will depend on the committee’s proceedings and subsequent decisions. 

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