NCC orders telecom airtime refunds for November-January service failures

Nigerian telecom subscribers will receive airtime compensation for poor service experienced between November 2025 and January 2026, with refunds beginning Friday, April 24. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) mandated this compensation after operators failed to meet required performance benchmarks following a March 29 directive.

Unlike previous fines that went to the government, affected customers will now receive direct airtime credits via SMS alerts detailing the compensation applied to their lines. This represents a more assertive regulatory approach focused on customer protection rather than just penalizing operators.

The NCC has shifted from state-level to local government-level performance measurements across 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, ensuring assessments reflect actual subscriber experiences. Tower companies must also redirect compensation funds into infrastructure upgrades, separate from their annual capital plans.

Operators are investing heavily—over $1 billion in 2025 and committed to 12,000 sites in 2026—to improve service quality. MTN Nigeria confirmed compliance, stating the directive 'places customers at the centre of regulatory decision-making.'

Have you experienced poor telecom service during the November-January period? Check your SMS alerts starting Friday for compensation details.

SOURCE: https://techcabal.com/2026/04/23/nigerian-telcos-to-begin-airtime-refunds-for-service-disruption/