Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the launch of Airtel Nigeria’s Open Network initiative, describing it as an important step towards greater transparency, improved customer engagement and better telecommunications services in Nigeria.
The President also urged telecommunications operators to prioritise network reliability, expand coverage, reduce service disruptions and respond more effectively to complaints from subscribers who depend on mobile connectivity for communication, education and business activities.
The initiative was unveiled by Airtel Nigeria in Lagos on Friday, October 30, 2026. It is designed to give subscribers better access to information about network coverage and developments in their locations while providing a platform for reporting service-related challenges directly to the telecommunications operator.
Tinubu’s position was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President said initiatives that improve transparency and give consumers access to relevant information could strengthen accountability in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
He noted that the quality of telecommunications services must be measured by the experiences of subscribers, rather than investment announcements and technological improvements alone.
What Airtel Nigeria’s Open Network Initiative Offers Subscribers
Airtel Nigeria’s Open Network initiative is intended to give customers more visibility into the telecommunications infrastructure and network services available in their respective locations.
According to details reported by Technext, the platform provides access to network coverage information, including the availability of 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G services, as well as the locations of existing telecommunications towers.
Subscribers can also use the platform to report problems such as:
- Poor network coverage in their communities.
- Frequent call disconnections.
- Slow mobile internet speeds.
- Areas experiencing weak or unreliable signals.
- Other difficulties affecting their telecommunications experience.
The platform also allows customers to track complaints through service request numbers, making it easier to follow up on reported problems.
Airtel Nigeria said information collected through customer feedback could help the company identify locations requiring infrastructure improvements, including additional network sites, tower upgrades and better network capacity.
The initiative is accessible through the MyAirtel application. Subscribers may need to update the application to access the feature.
At the launch, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, explained that the objective was to establish a more meaningful relationship between the telecommunications company and its customers.
He said the platform was designed to ensure that customers could communicate their experiences and that their complaints reached the teams responsible for investigating network problems.
Balsingh also acknowledged that the platform would not automatically repair faulty infrastructure or eliminate every network disruption. Rather, it would provide information that could help Airtel investigate complaints and identify areas requiring attention.
Tinubu Emphasises Transparency and Consumer Protection
Tinubu’s endorsement places the initiative within the Federal Government’s broader efforts to improve digital connectivity, encourage private-sector investment and strengthen consumer protection in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
The President also welcomed measures introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to make network performance information more accessible to the public.
These include public network coverage maps, performance reports and consumer satisfaction information intended to help subscribers understand the quality of telecommunications services available in different locations.
The NCC’s network performance reporting system provides comparisons of operators’ services using indicators such as network speed, stability and responsiveness.
Its reports also examine differences in connectivity across states and regions, helping identify areas where telecommunications infrastructure and service delivery require improvement. NCC +1
The availability of such information is particularly important in a country where millions of people depend on mobile networks for financial transactions, education, employment, business operations and access to public services.
Federal Government Highlights Free Educational Data Initiative
Tinubu also highlighted the Federal Government’s Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content Initiative, which is being implemented through the NCC in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and telecommunications operators.
The programme is designed to reduce the cost of accessing approved educational websites and digital learning resources.
Under the initiative, eligible students are expected to receive up to 100 megabytes of free daily data to access approved educational platforms.
The programme is intended to improve digital access for students, particularly those who face financial barriers to internet connectivity.
The Federal Government has presented the initiative as part of its wider digital inclusion efforts, with telecommunications infrastructure expected to play an important role in expanding access to education and other essential online services.
The scheme is also relevant to Airtel’s Open Network initiative because reliable connectivity remains necessary for students to benefit from digital learning programmes.
Free data alone cannot guarantee effective access to online education if students continue to experience weak signals, slow internet speeds or frequent service interruptions.
Nigeria’s Telecommunications Challenges Remain Significant
Despite investments in telecommunications infrastructure and the expansion of mobile internet services, network quality remains an important concern for Nigerian consumers.
Poor connectivity can affect businesses, students, remote workers and individuals who depend on mobile services for everyday activities.
For small businesses, unreliable internet access can interrupt digital payments, online sales, customer communication and other commercial operations.
For students, unstable connectivity can make it difficult to attend virtual classes, access learning materials and participate in online examinations.
The challenges are not limited to network coverage. Infrastructure damage, fibre-optic cable cuts, power interruptions, equipment failures and network congestion can also affect service delivery.
The NCC has continued to publish network performance information to improve transparency and support evidence-based regulatory interventions.
Its 2026 reporting includes assessments of network quality, urban and rural connectivity, 5G performance and underserved communities. NCC +2
Against this background, Airtel’s Open Network initiative introduces another channel through which subscribers can communicate their experiences directly to an operator.
However, its effectiveness will ultimately depend on how quickly reported problems are investigated and whether feedback leads to measurable improvements.
Why the Initiative Matters to Nigerian Consumers
The launch could represent a useful development in how telecommunications companies engage with subscribers.
Traditionally, customers experiencing poor network services have had to rely on customer care channels to report complaints, sometimes without sufficient information about the coverage or infrastructure conditions affecting their locations.
By providing access to network information and a structured complaint-reporting process, Airtel is seeking to make that relationship more transparent.
The initiative could also help the company identify areas where network investments are most urgently needed.
For consumers, access to coverage information may make it easier to understand the availability of different network technologies in their communities.
For regulators, greater transparency and improved consumer feedback can complement existing monitoring systems and help identify persistent service-quality problems.
Nevertheless, access to information should not replace the responsibility of telecommunications operators to provide reliable services and meet applicable regulatory requirements.
Subscribers will ultimately judge the initiative by whether it produces practical improvements, including fewer dropped calls, stronger coverage and more consistent internet speeds.
What Happens Next?
The next important test for Airtel Nigeria will be its ability to translate subscriber feedback into practical network improvements.
Customers will expect reported coverage gaps, slow internet speeds and recurring call disruptions to receive appropriate attention.
The Federal Government, meanwhile, is expected to continue working with telecommunications operators and the NCC to improve connectivity, strengthen digital infrastructure and expand access to affordable telecommunications services.
The effectiveness of these efforts will depend on sustained investment, regulatory oversight and measurable improvements in the quality of services available to Nigerians.
For Airtel, the Open Network initiative provides an additional mechanism for understanding customer experiences. Its long-term value will depend on whether subscribers see meaningful changes after reporting problems.
Weng Global’s observation: The initiative is a welcome development in consumer engagement, but transparency must be accompanied by accountability. Nigerians need networks that work reliably, not simply platforms through which they can report when they do not.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Western Post – Tinubu Welcomes Airtel’s Open Network, Demands Better Telecoms Services.
- Technext – Airtel Nigeria Launches Open Network to Address Network Issues Through Customer Feedback.
- Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) – Network Performance Reports.
- Nigerian Communications Commission – Public Network Coverage Information.
- Federal Government of Nigeria – Official statements on digital inclusion and telecommunications policy.
