Reps Eject ALTON Officials from Hearing Over Poor Network, Threaten Sanctions

The House of Representatives has ejected officials of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) from a hearing investigating persistent poor network services, warning that further unauthorised appearances could attract detention.

The confrontation occurred on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during a meeting of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Telecommunications Service Quality in Abuja, after the chief executives of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and T2 Mobile failed to appear before the panel.

Instead, representatives of the telecommunications operators, led by ALTON officials, attended the hearing, saying the companies had instituted legal proceedings challenging the summons but appeared out of respect for the National Assembly.

The committee rejected their appearance, insisting that its invitations were directed at the individual telecommunications companies and not their industry association.

The lawmakers maintained that each operator held a separate licence and was independently responsible for its operations, service quality and obligations to subscribers.

The committee, presided over by lawmaker Sunday Umeha on behalf of its chairman, Olumide Osoba, questioned whether the operators had obtained a court order restraining the House from proceeding with its investigation.

Umeha subsequently ordered the ALTON representatives to leave, warning the association against appearing before the committee without an invitation.

The lawmakers also reiterated their position that neither the Nigerian Communications Commission’s regulatory authority nor pending court proceedings automatically removed the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers.

Speaking after the proceedings, Osoba said the investigation followed growing complaints from subscribers about dropped calls, unreliable internet connectivity, disappearing data subscriptions and frequent network disruptions.

He noted that poor network quality had affected businesses and essential services, particularly small businesses that rely on Point of Sale terminals and electronic payment platforms.

Osoba also raised concerns about the implications of unreliable telecommunications services for the 2027 general elections, stressing that electoral processes and technological devices depend on effective communication networks.

The committee maintained that the chief executives and senior management officials of the affected operators must personally explain the causes of persistent service failures and outline measures to improve network quality.

It adjourned the hearing until the following Wednesday and warned that further non-compliance could prompt the House to invoke relevant constitutional powers to enforce its summons.

The investigation comes amid continuing complaints over poor network coverage, slow internet speeds and failed airtime and data transactions across the country.