President Bola Tinubu has praised Airtel Nigeria for launching its Open Network initiative. He called it a good move for more transparency, better consumer protection, and improved telecom services in Nigeria.
The initiative was launched in Lagos on Friday, 30 October 2026. The event had the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, present. The new plan lets subscribers see information about network changes in their areas. Users can also report any service issues directly to Airtel.
President Tinubu said this initiative matches his government's goal of encouraging private investment, expanding digital infrastructure, and ensuring Nigerians enjoy better telecom services.
He also highlighted the importance of transparency in the telecom sector. This includes the NCC’s public maps showing network coverage, performance updates, and consumer satisfaction surveys. These tools help Nigerians understand their available services and hold telecom operators accountable.
The president mentioned the recent Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content Initiative. This was put in place through the NCC, working with the Federal Ministry of Education and telecom companies. The program aims to give eligible students up to 100MB of free daily data for approved educational websites and learning materials. This shows the government’s commitment to making digital opportunities easier for young Nigerians.
President Tinubu recalled his meeting with Sunil Mittal, the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Airtel. This meeting took place at the State House in Abuja in February 2025. During their talk, he stressed his government's goal of creating a welcoming environment for telecom investments. He also discussed the need to strengthen regulations and protect important digital infrastructure.
He praised Airtel Nigeria for its ongoing investment in expanding its network. The company has grown its infrastructure from around 15,000 sites two years ago to over 17,000 across the country. The expansion includes more than 1,050 new network sites added during the 2025/26 financial year, with 657 of them being 5G sites.
President Tinubu said ongoing investment in telecom infrastructure is key to increasing broadband access. This will improve network capacity and support businesses, education, and economic opportunities in Nigeria.
He thanked the NCC, led by Dr Maida, for its work in boosting regulatory oversight, promoting transparency, and protecting telecom consumers. The president urged telecom operators to keep investing in expanding their networks, especially in areas that lack good service, and to address customer complaints quickly.
He stressed that the success of telecom investments should be measured by how Nigerians experience these services in their daily lives, work, and communication.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his government's commitment to creating a business environment that promotes responsible investment and innovation. He also emphasized that consumer interests must remain a priority in telecom development. He called on operators to turn their investments into better coverage, fewer service interruptions, and more responsive customer service for Nigerians.
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