FCCPC Silent as Telecom Networks Collapse

Amid a wave of crippling service outages by major telecom providers across Nigeria, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has come under fire for what consumers describe as “conspicuous silence” in the face of growing service failures and poor customer experiences.

In recent weeks, millions of Nigerians have experienced dropped calls, data service disruptions, failed mobile transactions, and general network instability across MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile platforms. The disruptions, which have affected both personal and commercial activities, have sparked widespread frustration, especially as there has been no clear communication or penalty from regulators.

Consumers Left in the Dark

Despite its core mandate to protect consumer rights and enforce accountability, the FCCPC has yet to issue any strong public statement, initiate a thorough investigation, or demand refunds or service credits from operators for affected users.

“It feels like we’re being punished for using telecom services,” said, a schoolteacher in Enugu. “Data disappears, calls won’t connect, and when we complain, nobody listens. The FCCPC should be our voice, but they’ve gone silent.”

For many, the silence from the Commission is all the more troubling given the frequency and scale of recent outages. In March, Nigerians endured a 72-hour network blackout blamed on fibre cuts and technical failures. While service providers issued apologies, there were no consequences or enforcement actions from the FCCPC.

Mandates Ignored?

Established to safeguard the interests of Nigerian consumers, the FCCPC’s responsibilities include investigating complaints, sanctioning erring companies, ensuring refunds or compensation, and publishing service ratings. Yet, these functions appear dormant—especially in the telecom sector.

In contrast, regulatory bodies in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States actively penalize service providers for similar failures and enforce consumer rights through compensation and strict compliance benchmarks.

Industry analysts argue that the lack of regulatory pressure from the FCCPC allows telecom operators to prioritize profit over service quality.

“This regulatory silence sends the wrong signal,” said a Lagos-based telecom consultant who asked not to be named. “If there are no consequences, service providers have no incentive to improve.”

Public Trust at Stake

For digital-dependent sectors such as e-commerce, education, banking, and small business, uninterrupted telecom access is critical. Consumers say they feel increasingly abandoned and powerless—paying for services they cannot use without any hope of redress.

Stakeholders are now calling on the FCCPC to take immediate steps, including:

• Launching a public investigation into recent outages
• Demanding compensation for affected subscribers
• Setting minimum standards of service delivery
• Collaborating with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for stronger enforcement
• Creating real-time complaint resolution platforms

The Road Ahead

As telecom networks remain unstable, the FCCPC’s relevance is being openly questioned. Critics argue that without proactive intervention, the Commission risks eroding the very public confidence it was created to uphold.

“This is not just about poor network anymore—it’s about accountability,” said a lawyer and consumer rights advocate. “Silence in the face of widespread failure is complicity.”

Until FCCPC acts decisively, every failed call, lost data bundle, and unaddressed complaint will serve as a painful reminder of a regulatory system in need of urgent reform.

Stay informed, stay ahead with The Ameh News