Telecom subscribers in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are currently facing significant service quality issues, affecting the city, which serves as Nigeria’s seat of government.

The disruptions have largely been linked to the activities of the National Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA), which caused interruptions in diesel supply to sites, resulting in outages of telecommunications services across the city. Efforts to expand and strengthen infrastructure have also been hampered by delays in obtaining necessary approvals from authorities.

Reacting to the situation, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) acknowledged the Quality of Service (QoS) challenges and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring reliable communication services for all Nigerians. The commission emphasized that a consistent power supply is crucial for maintaining optimal telecommunication services.

“The NCC is aware of the service quality challenges in Abuja, which have affected subscribers’ experiences. We are actively working with major stakeholders and licensees to resolve these issues, which have primarily been caused by disruptions in diesel supply affecting IHS Nigeria Limited, the colocation provider that powers Airtel and MTN base stations in the affected areas,” the commission said.

The NCC further explained that the diesel supply disruptions were caused by NOGASA’s activities, leading to widespread telecommunications outages in Abuja. The commission is engaging relevant stakeholders to address these supply issues and is exploring long-term solutions to prevent future disruptions.

“We urge all parties involved to work collaboratively to remove the diesel supply bottlenecks affecting critical telecommunications infrastructure. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to creating a supportive environment for the growth and sustainability of telecom services in Nigeria,” the statement added.

The NCC assured the public that it is taking proactive steps to facilitate dialogue between affected service providers and stakeholders, aiming for a swift resolution. Subscribers are thanked for their patience and understanding as efforts continue to restore full telecom services in Abuja.