The Nigerian Senate has launched an investigation into complaints that telecommunications companies deduct airtime from subscribers’ accounts despite failed calls, dropped connections and interrupted conversations.
The Senate has given its Committee on Communications four weeks to investigate the complaints, determine the financial losses suffered by subscribers and recommend possible legislative measures to address the problem.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio issued the directive during Wednesday’s plenary, asking the committee to engage the minister responsible for telecommunications, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other relevant stakeholders.
Senators Raise Concerns Over Airtime Deductions
The investigation followed a motion sponsored by Senate Chief Whip, Muhammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), and seconded by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North).
Presenting the motion on Monguno’s behalf, Senator Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South) said millions of Nigerians relied on telecommunications services for daily activities, including business transactions and communication with public institutions.
He expressed concern that subscribers frequently experienced failed calls, dropped connections and interrupted conversations, even when airtime had already been deducted from their accounts.
According to Ashiru, the situation forces customers to make repeated calls to complete conversations, resulting in additional expenses arising from network failures beyond their control.
He noted that the financial implications were particularly concerning for traders, students and small business operators, adding that the cumulative losses suffered by millions of subscribers could be substantial.
Ned Nwoko Backs Senate Investigation
Supporting the motion, Senator Ned Nwoko described it as necessary and timely, arguing that telecommunications challenges affected virtually every Nigerian.
He maintained that subscribers should not be made to pay for communication services they did not effectively receive.
The lawmaker called for urgent intervention by regulatory authorities to address the complaints and ensure that telecommunications consumers receive value for their money.
Following deliberations, the Senate directed its Committee on Communications to invite the NCC and telecommunications operators to explain the persistent network-related complaints.
The committee is also expected to examine the financial implications of the deductions and recommend measures to protect subscribers from paying for failed or interrupted calls.
