President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged telecommunications operators to translate their investments into better network coverage fewer service disruptions and more responsive customer service stressing that innovation must deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.
The President who welcomed Airtel Nigeria’s Open Network initiative launched in Lagos yesterday said the success of telecommunications investments must ultimately be measured by the experience of people who depend on the services for their livelihoods businesses and everyday communication.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga Tinubu described the initiative as a positive step towards greater transparency consumer protection and improved telecommunications services.
The initiative enables subscribers to access information about network developments in their areas and report service difficulties directly to the operator.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr Aminu Maida attended the unveiling.
Tinubu said the initiative aligned with his administration’s commitment to encouraging private-sector investment expanding digital infrastructure and ensuring more reliable and accessible telecommunications services.
He urged operators to sustain network expansion particularly in underserved communities and give customer complaints timely attention.
The President welcomed the growing emphasis on transparency in the sector including the NCC’s public network coverage maps performance information and consumer satisfaction surveys.
He said the measures would help Nigerians better understand available services and hold operators accountable.
Tinubu also highlighted the Federal Government’s Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content Initiative implemented through the NCC in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and telecommunications operators.
The programme is designed to provide eligible students with up to 100MB of free daily data to access approved educational websites and learning resources.
According to the President the intervention reflects his administration’s determination to widen access to digital opportunities particularly for young Nigerians.
He recalled his February 2025 meeting with the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Airtel Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal at the State House Abuja during which he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a favourable investment environment stronger regulation and the protection of critical digital infrastructure.
Tinubu welcomed Airtel Nigeria’s continued investment in network expansion with its infrastructure growing from approximately 15000 sites two years ago to more than 17000 nationwide.
The expansion included more than 1050 network sites added during the company’s 2025/26 financial year including 657 5G sites.
He said sustained infrastructure investment was essential to expanding broadband access improving network capacity and supporting businesses education and economic opportunities across the country.
The President commended the NCC under Maida’s leadership for strengthening regulatory oversight promoting transparency and protecting telecommunications consumers.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining an environment that encourages responsible investment and innovation while keeping consumer interests central to telecommunications development.