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NCC assures Nigerians of improved telecom services amid quality concerns
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has acknowledged growing public concerns over the quality of telecommunications services in parts of the country, assuring consumers that efforts are underway to improve network performance and service delivery nationwide.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, the Commission said it recognised the frustration experienced by consumers due to dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data services, and other service disruptions affecting daily activities.
According to the Commission, telecommunications services have become central to economic and social activities, including business, education, and access to essential services, stressing that consumers deserve reliable services and value for money.
The NCC disclosed that improving Quality of Service (QoS) has remained a major regulatory priority over the past two years. It said the Commission had intensified monitoring of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and Tower Companies, while strengthening data-driven oversight and engagement with relevant institutions to tackle structural challenges affecting service delivery.
The Commission noted that the telecommunications sector is currently undergoing one of its largest network expansion and modernisation drives in recent years, following what it described as a prolonged period of under-investment.
According to the statement, Mobile Network Operators invested over ₦2.13 trillion in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025 alone, while Tower Companies committed an additional ₦373.8 billion to the sector. These investments supported the addition and upgrade of more than 2,800 telecommunications sites across the country.
The NCC explained that the interventions included deployment of additional 4G and 5G infrastructure, expansion of fibre backhaul systems, targeted installations in high-demand urban areas, rollout of services to underserved communities, and replacement of ageing network equipment.
It added that the expansion drive has continued into 2026, with operators committing to add or upgrade more than 12,000 sites within the year, of which nearly 3,000 have already been completed. The Commission further disclosed that over 730 new 5G sites had been deployed across 27 states so far in 2026.
The Commission also revealed that it had facilitated the reallocation of idle and underutilised radio spectrum among the three major mobile network operators in line with its Spectrum Trading Guidelines. According to the NCC, the move is aimed at improving spectral efficiency, increasing network capacity, and enhancing service performance.
The statement noted that recent Quality of Service and Quality of Experience assessments conducted by the Commission indicated gradual improvements in network coverage, capacity, and average data download speeds in several parts of the country.
It said national median download speeds had increased from 16.5Mbps in January 2024 to 20Mbps currently, while 4G penetration rose from 45 per cent to 54 per cent within the same period. Power availability at telecom towers also improved from a national average of 99.3 per cent in January 2025 to 99.7 per cent presently.
Despite the improvements, the Commission admitted that consumers in some locations still experience poor call quality, congestion, slow internet speeds, and service instability, stressing that operators must accelerate the pace and consistency of improvements.
The NCC also disclosed that it is conducting a market study aimed at creating a wholesale broadband market segment to enable smaller and localised Internet Service Providers to expand internet access at lower costs. It said the initiative complements government-backed projects such as Project BRIDGE aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
On challenges affecting service quality, the Commission identified frequent fibre cuts, vandalism, theft of telecom equipment, power-related disruptions, and denial of access to network sites as major obstacles.
It revealed that over 27,000 avoidable fibre-cut incidents linked mainly to road construction activities and vandalism were recorded nationwide in 2025 alone, with significant impact on network performance and service availability.
According to the NCC, it is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders to enforce the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure and curb the activities of syndicates involved in telecom infrastructure vandalism and theft.
The Commission further stated that operators have been directed to notify consumers promptly whenever major outages occur and to restore affected services within stipulated timelines. It added that details of major incidents are now being published on the Commission’s Major Network Outages Reporting Portal.
The NCC said enforcement of the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024 commenced in November 2025 after operators were granted a transition period to procure and install equipment required to improve service delivery.
It warned that enforcement actions, including consumer compensation measures and additional investment obligations for operators failing to meet performance standards, would continue where measurable improvements are not achieved.
The Commission commended the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the National Assembly, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and other stakeholders for supporting efforts to improve service quality in the sector.
It also appealed to federal, state and local governments, as well as host communities, to support the protection of telecommunications infrastructure and create an enabling environment for sustained investment in the industry.
The NCC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Nigerians enjoy reliable, affordable, and high-quality telecommunications services, insisting that the industry must now deliver measurable improvements in service quality.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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