The House of Representatives gave MTN, Airtel, Glo, and Mafab 7 days to appear in Abuja over widespread network failures.
Members of the House of Representatives in Abuja have issued a strict 7 day final warning to the big bosses of major mobile network companies in Nigeria, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and Mafab Communications.
The special lawmaker committee set up to investigate bad network services gave the network bosses until Wednesday, October 28, 2026, to come to the National Assembly Complex and explain why phone calls, text messages, and internet data have remained very poor across the country.
Lawmakers expressed deep anger during a public hearing after the chief executive officers refused to show up in person, sending lower representatives instead.
The lawmakers warned that if the real company bosses fail to appear on the new date, the House will use its law powers to order the police to arrest them and bring them to the meeting by force.
Angry about how bad network service is making life hard for ordinary citizens and small businesses, lawmakers noted that buying data and airtime without getting good service is unacceptable.
Speaking during the sitting in Abuja, the chairman of the special committee, Representative Olumide Osoba, made it clear that the big bosses must show up without giving any excuse.
Directing the government phone regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, to force all the company leaders to attend, Chairman Olumide Osoba ordered: “The committee directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that all affected telecommunications operators comply with the invitation and appear at 2 p.m. on 28 October in Hearing Room 447 of the New Building of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.”
Lawmakers stressed that mobile phone networks are very important to the everyday life of ordinary people and the growth of small business owners who sell goods online or use bank money machines.
Explaining why good network service is essential for every Nigerian, Representative Olumide Osoba added: “Reliable telecommunications services have become essential to Nigeria’s economy, with their importance extending beyond calls and internet access.”
Other lawmakers also voiced frustration over how company leaders ignore official invitations from the government while making huge profits from everyday subscribers.
Stressing that companies making huge money from Nigerian citizens must respect public authorities, lawmaker Representative Osonwa stated: “Companies that benefit significantly from the Nigerian market could not reasonably ignore invitations from the legislature, especially when the inquiry concerned the quality of services they provide to customers and the broader economy.”
Records from the telecom regulator show that over four hundred thousand complaints were reported by phone users in the first half of 2026 alone, with customers crying over dropped calls, fast-draining data, and failed bank transfers.
Millions of Nigerians are waiting to see if the network bosses will finally appear before lawmakers next week.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
