Senate Summons NCC, MTN, Airtel, Others Over Dropped Calls, Airtime Deductions

The Senate has summoned the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and major telecommunications operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2, over persistent complaints of dropped calls, failed connections and unexplained airtime deductions.

The commission and the telecom operators are expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Communications, chaired by Senator Aliyu Ikra Bilbis, to explain the recurring service failures experienced by subscribers.

The committee is to investigate complaints involving airtime deductions for unsuccessful calls, abruptly terminated conversations, dropped connections and allegedly excessive charges.

It is also expected to determine the financial losses incurred by subscribers and submit its findings, alongside recommendations for further legislative and regulatory measures, to the Senate within four weeks.

The resolution was reached on Wednesday following 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 the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North.

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, who supported the motion, described it as a necessary consumer protection measure, noting that poor telecommunications services affected virtually every Nigerian who depended on mobile networks.

He also drew attention to the difference between the quality of telephone services in Nigeria and the reliable connectivity available in some other countries.

Presenting the motion on behalf of Monguno, Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru, representing Kwara South, raised concerns about subscribers being charged for calls that were never successfully connected. Lawmakers called for accountability, refunds and improved service quality across the industry.

The Senate observed that making telephone calls had become increasingly unpredictable for millions of Nigerians, with poor network reception, interrupted conversations, dropped calls and failed connections remaining common complaints.

It noted that subscribers often lose airtime even when their calls do not connect successfully.

Lawmakers also warned that Nigerians should not be required to pay for telecommunications services that have not been properly delivered.

They pointed out that subscribers frequently have to dial numbers repeatedly before establishing connections, leading to additional deductions and financial losses. Those affected include low-income earners, traders, students and small business owners.

The Senate acknowledged that some network disruptions might be unavoidable but maintained that consumers should not bear the financial burden of service failures beyond their control.

After deliberations, lawmakers adopted the sixth prayer of the motion, which brought together the proposed measures contained in its first five prayers.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio insisted that the investigation should go beyond routine discussions with telecommunications operators.

He said the NCC, the supervising minister and the network providers must account for the persistent complaints and explain the measures being taken to address them.

Akpabio warned that the Senate could refer the matter to a Committee of the Whole for further legislative action if the explanations and proposed interventions failed to resolve the concerns.

The Senate’s intervention places the focus on subscribers’ rights, accountability within the telecommunications industry and the need to prevent Nigerians from losing money on services they do not receive.