Nigerians across the country have voiced growing frustration over persistent network failures and data-related issues affecting major telecommunications providers, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria.
The complaints, which intensified on April 18, 2026, center on rapid data depletion, prolonged service outages, and inconsistent connectivity. Some users reported unusually high data consumption, including cases where as much as 90GB was exhausted within 13 days from an 800GB subscription plan, raising concerns about transparency and billing accuracy.
Subscribers to fiber broadband services also expressed dissatisfaction, noting that despite paying premium fees—reportedly up to ₦100,000 for 300Mbps plans—they continue to experience frequent service disruptions and blackouts. Meanwhile, Airtel customers reported outages lasting up to 12 hours, significantly affecting remote work and business operations.
Both telecom providers have acknowledged the issues and issued apologies to customers. They attributed some of the excessive data usage to background applications running on users’ devices, though many subscribers remain unconvinced by the explanation.
Industry data indicates that Nigeria recorded approximately 577 telecom service outages in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting broader infrastructure challenges within the sector. The situation has drawn the attention of regulators, who have reiterated that telecom operators must compensate customers for prolonged service failures and substandard performance.
With the rainy season approaching—a period often associated with increased network disruptions—concerns are mounting over the reliability of telecom services and the preparedness of operators to maintain stable connectivity.
The development has reignited calls for stronger regulatory oversight and improved service delivery in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
