President Bola Tinubu has welcomed Airtel Nigeria’s Open Network initiative, urging telecommunications operators to improve network coverage, reduce service disruptions and respond promptly to customer complaints.
The President described the initiative as a positive step towards greater transparency, consumer protection and improved telecommunications services in the country.
The initiative, unveiled in Lagos on Friday, allows subscribers to access information about network developments in their areas and report service difficulties directly to the operator.
The event was attended by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida.
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.
Tinubu said the initiative aligned with his administration’s commitment to encouraging private-sector investment, expanding digital infrastructure and ensuring Nigerians enjoyed more reliable and accessible telecommunications services.
He welcomed the growing emphasis on transparency in the sector, including the NCC’s public network coverage maps, performance information and consumer satisfaction surveys.
According to him, these measures wull enable Nigerians to better understand available services and hold telecommunications operators accountable.
The President 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 provides eligible students with up to 100MB of free daily data to access approved educational websites and learning resources.
Tinubu said the initiative reflected his administration’s determination to expand digital opportunities, particularly for young Nigerians.
He recalled his meeting with the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Airtel, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, at the State House, Abuja, in February 2025.
During the meeting, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a favourable investment environment, strengthening the regulatory framework and protecting critical digital infrastructure.
The President welcomed Airtel Nigeria’s continued investment in network expansion, noting that its infrastructure had grown from approximately 15,000 sites two years ago to more than 17,000 nationwide.
The expansion includes more than 1,050 network sites added during the company’s 2025/26 financial year, including 657 5G sites.
Tinubu said sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure was essential to expanding broadband access, improving network capacity and supporting businesses, education and economic opportunities.
He commended the NCC, under Maida’s leadership, for its efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight, promote transparency and protect telecommunications consumers.
The President urged operators to sustain investments in network expansion, particularly in underserved communities, and ensure timely attention to customer complaints.
He stressed that the success of telecommunications investment and innovation must ultimately be measured by the experiences of Nigerians who depend on the services for their livelihoods, businesses and everyday communication.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining a business environment that encourages responsible investment and innovation while placing consumer interests at the centre of telecommunications development. (NAN)
