Reps threaten arrest warrants for MTN, Airtel, Glo CEOs over poor services

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating poor telecommunications services in Nigeria has threatened to issue arrest warrants for chief executive officers of major telecom operators over their failure to honour its summons.

The committee has directed the chief executives of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, Mafab Communications Limited and other service providers to appear before it in person on November 4.

The executives had been summoned to appear on October 28 to address concerns over persistent network failures and poor service delivery across the country.

At the committee’s sitting on Wednesday, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), attempted to represent the companies’ chief executives but was rejected by the lawmakers.

Olumide Osoba, chairman of the committee and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Ogun State, insisted that the executives must attend the next hearing personally.

He warned that failure to comply with the directive could result in the issuance of arrest warrants.

Sunday Umeha, an APC lawmaker representing Enugu State and a member of the committee, said the telecommunications companies were individually licensed by the Federal Government and could not rely on their membership of an industry association to avoid legislative scrutiny.

Umeha also criticised a letter reportedly written by ALTON questioning the committee’s authority to compel the operators to attend the hearing.

“They see their appearance as a privilege to this committee and not as a statutory obligation,” he said.

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The lawmaker maintained that Section 88 of the Nigerian Constitution empowers the National Assembly to investigate matters within its legislative jurisdiction, including issues relating to telecommunications services.

The investigation comes amid growing concerns over unreliable network coverage, dropped calls and other service disruptions affecting subscribers across the country.

Akin Rotimi, spokesperson for the House of Representatives, highlighted the security implications of poor connectivity, particularly in parts of Ekiti State where some communities and major roads reportedly lack reliable mobile network coverage.

Rotimi alleged that two traditional rulers in his constituency were killed in an ambush along a road without mobile network coverage.

He warned that connectivity gaps could prevent residents and commuters from alerting security agencies or contacting emergency responders during life-threatening situations.

According to him, the absence of reliable telecommunications infrastructure in vulnerable communities could undermine emergency response efforts and public safety.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said on October 20 that 75 million subscribers had received airtime compensation for poor telecommunications services in 2026.

The regulator said the compensation was part of its consumer compensation framework, which seeks to address service deficiencies and improve accountability among network operators.

The NCC also expressed the expectation that the intervention would translate into better connectivity for consumers.

The House committee’s investigation is expected to examine the causes of persistent service failures and the responsibilities of telecom operators and regulators in ensuring improved service delivery.

The November 4 hearing will determine whether the summoned executives comply with the lawmakers’ directive or face further action over their failure to appear.