Tinubu Welcomes Airtel Open Network Initiative, Urges Operators To Improve Service Quality

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed Airtel Nigeria’s Open Network initiative, describing it as a significant step towards greater transparency, consumer protection and improved telecommunications services…

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed Airtel Nigeria’s Open Network initiative, describing it as a significant step towards greater transparency, consumer protection and improved telecommunications services.

The President also commended the company’s investment in telecommunications infrastructure, urging operators to translate their investments into better network coverage, fewer service disruptions and more responsive customer service.

Tinubu’s position was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The launch was attended by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida.

According to the President, the initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to encouraging private-sector investment, expanding digital infrastructure and ensuring Nigerians enjoy more reliable and accessible telecommunications services.

Tinubu further highlighted the Federal Government’s Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content Initiative, implemented through the NCC in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and telecommunications operators.

The programme provides eligible students with up to 100MB of free daily data to access approved educational websites and learning resources.

He said the initiative reflects his administration’s determination to make digital opportunities more accessible, particularly to young Nigerians.

The President recalled his February 2025 meeting with the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Airtel, Sunil Bharti Mittal, at the State House, Abuja, where he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a favourable environment for telecommunications investment, strengthening regulation and protecting critical digital infrastructure.

Tinubu noted that Airtel Nigeria had expanded its network infrastructure from approximately 15,000 sites two years ago to more than 17,000 nationwide.

The expansion includes over 1,050 network sites added during the company’s 2025/26 financial year, among them 657 5G sites.

He said sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure was essential to expanding broadband access, improving network capacity and supporting businesses, education and economic opportunities across the country.

The President also commended the NCC, under Maida’s leadership, for strengthening regulatory oversight, promoting transparency and protecting telecommunications consumers.

He urged telecommunications operators to sustain investments in network expansion, particularly in underserved communities, while ensuring that customer complaints receive timely attention.

Tinubu stressed that the success of investment and innovation in the sector should ultimately be measured by the experience of Nigerians who depend on telecommunications services for their businesses, livelihoods and everyday communication.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining a business environment that encourages responsible investment and innovation while placing consumer interests at the centre of telecommunications development.

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