The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has acknowledged ongoing quality of service challenges affecting telecommunications subscribers in Abuja, attributing the disruptions to diesel supply issues impacting critical network infrastructure.
The Commission in a statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, said the service degradation is largely connected to disruptions in diesel supply to base stations operated by IHS Nigeria Limited, a colocation provider that supplies power to Airtel and MTN facilities in parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the regulator, the diesel supply challenges arose from the activities of the National Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA), which led to interruptions in fuel delivery to telecom sites, resulting in service outages and reduced network performance.
“The Commission acknowledges the Quality of Service challenges being experienced in Abuja, which have impacted the quality of experience of telecommunications subscribers,” the NCC said.
Power supply disruptions affect base stations
The NCC noted that reliable power supply remains critical to the delivery of optimal telecommunications services, especially in areas where base stations depend heavily on diesel-powered generators due to limited access to grid electricity.
It explained that the disruption to diesel supply directly affected the ability of IHS Nigeria to power base stations serving Airtel and MTN customers, leading to intermittent service and network instability across affected locations.
In response to the situation, the Commission said it is working closely with key stakeholders and licensed operators to resolve the challenges and restore service quality.
The NCC said it is actively engaging relevant parties to address the diesel supply bottlenecks and explore more sustainable solutions that would reduce the sector’s vulnerability to similar disruptions in the future.
“The Commission is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to address the diesel supply issues and explore sustainable solutions,” the statement said.
The regulator also urged all parties involved to collaborate in resolving the situation swiftly, noting that telecommunications infrastructure is critical to economic activity and daily life.
Commitment to service restoration
The NCC reiterated its commitment to ensuring seamless communication services nationwide and said it is facilitating dialogue between affected service providers and other stakeholders to resolve the diesel supply concerns.
It added that it would continue to monitor developments closely and keep the public informed on progress toward restoring full telecommunications services in Abuja.
The Commission also thanked subscribers for their patience and understanding during the disruption, reaffirming its dedication to delivering high-quality telecommunications services across the country.
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