The growing cost of staying connected in Nigeria is coming under fresh scrutiny as mobile network operators recorded 413,587 consumer complaints in the first half of 2026, with network quality, data depletion, billing and failed transactions among the issues confronting subscribers.
The figures, obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), show that Airtel recorded 228,992 complaints, MTN 124,405, Globacom 56,810, while T2mobile recorded 3,885 during the six months.
Although operators resolved 406,938 complaints, representing 98.38 per cent of the total, the volume of complaints highlights the continuing difficulty of translating massive investment in telecommunications infrastructure into a consistently satisfactory experience for subscribers.
The situation is particularly significant following the telecom tariff adjustment approved by the NCC, which has increased the financial pressure on consumers at a time when mobile connectivity has become essential for banking, education, commerce, remote work, entertainment and other everyday activities.
One of the most contentious areas remains data consumption. Between January and June, MTN recorded 12,212 complaints relating to data depletion, Airtel 9,806, Globacom 1,373 and T2mobile 5, bringing complaints on the issue across the three largest operators to 23,391.
