Frustration is boiling over across Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape as subscribers decry what they describe as “paying for nothing,” amid persistent poor service delivery and controversial billing practices by service providers.
Raising the alarm, youth leader and entrepreneur, Abatcha Nawaisu Ngala, has called for immediate government intervention, warning that millions of Nigerians are being unfairly charged for services they barely receive.
In a strongly worded statement, Ngala painted a grim picture of the everyday reality faced by telecom users—frequent network failures, dropped calls, and painfully slow internet speeds—yet full charges continue to apply.
“It is deeply troubling that despite frequent network failures, dropped calls, and poor internet connectivity, subscribers are still being billed as though they received full value for their money,” he lamented.
Across major cities and rural communities alike, Nigerians rely heavily on telecom services for business, communication, and access to information. However, according to Ngala, the current situation has turned this essential service into a financial burden.
“This is no longer just about inconvenience; it is about economic injustice,” he stressed, noting that small business owners and young entrepreneurs are among the worst hit.
Ngala also took aim at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), accusing the regulatory body of failing to adequately protect consumers despite mounting complaints.
“Despite widespread public outcry, there has been little visible enforcement of consumer protection measures or accountability for service providers,” he said, adding that the silence of regulators raises serious concerns about transparency and oversight within the sector.
The criticism comes at a time when Nigeria’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, making reliable telecom services more critical than ever. Yet, many subscribers say they are losing money daily to unexplained deductions, incomplete data delivery, and interrupted calls.
Calling for urgent reforms, Ngala urged all tiers of government to step in decisively. He advocated for a comprehensive investigation into telecom billing systems, stricter enforcement of service quality standards, and compensation mechanisms for affected customers.
“There is an urgent need to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited. Service providers must be held accountable, and consumers must be protected,” he declared.
He further recommended strengthening the oversight powers of the NCC and introducing clear policies that guarantee fairness, transparency, and value for money.
As public anger continues to mount, the spotlight is now firmly on regulators and policymakers to act swiftly. For millions of Nigerians, the message is clear: the era of paying for poor—or non-existent—service must come to an end.
