The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, has said summoning chief executives of telecommunications companies cannot resolve Nigeria’s persistent network quality challenges, arguing that improved service delivery requires sustained investment, effective regulation and supportive government policies.
Adebayo, who spoke against the backdrop of the House of Representatives’ probe into poor telecommunications services, said legislative hearings should focus on identifying structural obstacles to network expansion rather than generating headlines through the summoning of company executives.
He acknowledged Nigerians’ right to demand better services but maintained that telecommunications quality was a complex infrastructure issue that could not be addressed simply by asking CEOs to explain dropped calls and slow internet speeds.
“I would not dismiss legislative hearings outright. They can be useful instruments of accountability, public engagement and policy development. Nigerians are entitled to demand better telecommunications services, and lawmakers have a responsibility to represent those concerns,” he said.
However, he added, “We must distinguish between hearings that produce meaningful outcomes and hearings that simply generate headlines.”
According to him, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) already has the statutory responsibility to monitor service quality, establish performance standards, investigate breaches and impose appropriate regulatory sanctions.
He argued that the National Assembly should complement, rather than duplicate, the regulator’s responsibilities.
Adebayo identified fibre-optic cable vandalism, inconsistent Right-of-Way charges, multiple taxation, electricity supply challenges and bureaucratic delays in infrastructure deployment as issues requiring legislative intervention.
“There is tremendous value in a hearing that brings together the NCC, operators, infrastructure providers, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to identify the obstacles to better service delivery and agree on practical solutions,” he said.
He specifically called for stronger legislation protecting telecommunications infrastructure, describing fibre-optic cables, towers and base stations as critical national assets.
On the controversy surrounding the committee’s summons, Adebayo explained that his appearance was intended to present the industry’s collective position, not to shield individual operators from legitimate accountability.
He said ALTON had formally communicated its concerns to the committee in a letter dated October 20, 2026, questioning the constitutional scope and application of the summons.
Citing Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, he argued that legislative investigative powers must remain within constitutionally prescribed purposes, particularly where privately owned companies operate under the statutory jurisdiction of a sector regulator.
He also referenced pending judicial proceedings concerning the interpretation of Sections 88 and 89, urging restraint rather than institutional confrontation.
Beyond the legal disagreement, the ALTON chairman stressed that telecommunications operators had invested substantial private capital in fibre infrastructure, mobile networks and other facilities supporting Nigeria’s digital economy.
He said unpredictable policies, multiple levies, delayed approvals and insecurity increased investment costs, ultimately affecting network expansion and service delivery.
“Sanctions alone cannot build fibre networks, provide electricity to base stations, prevent vandalism or facilitate access to infrastructure,” he said.
Adding,.“My message to Nigerians is simple: we all want better service, but better service requires investment, and investment requires an enabling environment.”
He urged lawmakers to create policies that encourage long-term investment, protect critical infrastructure and facilitate network expansion, while allowing the NCC to retain its regulatory responsibilities.
