The Senate has called in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and major telecom operators – MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2 – to answer questions over a surge in dropped calls, failed connections and unexplained airtime deductions that have frustrated millions of subscribers.
Under the direction of Senator Aliyu Ikra Bilbis, who chairs the Zamfara Central‑led Senate Committee on Communications, the NCC and the operators are required to appear before the committee to investigate complaints of airtime being deducted for calls that never went through, for conversations that were cut short and for charges that appear inflated. The committee will also assess the financial losses suffered by users and is expected to submit a report, with recommendations for further legislative or regulatory action, within four weeks.
The summons follows a motion titled “Need to curb unjustified deductions from subscribers’ airtime resulting from substandard telecommunications services through robust consumer protection.” The motion was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno of Borno North and seconded by Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North. Deputy Majority Leader Senator Lola Ashiru highlighted concerns that consumers are being charged for calls that never successfully connect.
Senators warned that the cost of making a phone call has become an “expensive gamble” for many Nigerians, especially low‑income earners, traders, students and small business owners. They noted that subscribers often have to redial numbers multiple times before a connection is established, leading to additional airtime deductions and financial losses.
President of the Senate Senator Godswill Akpabio said the investigation must go beyond routine engagements, insisting that the NCC, the supervising minister and the operators provide clear explanations for the persistent complaints. He warned that if the explanations and proposed interventions fail to address the concerns, the Senate could move the matter to a Committee of the Whole for further legislative action.
For the Senate, the issue is no longer just about poor network reception; it is a matter of consumer rights, corporate accountability and protecting Nigerians from paying for services they never received. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, relies heavily on reliable telecommunications for everyday life and business, making the matter a national priority.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
