President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Airtel Nigeria following the official launch of its “Open Network” initiative, hailing the project as a major step toward enhancing consumer transparency, service quality, and accountability in the telecommunications sector.
Unveiled in Lagos on Friday, October 30, the initiative—attended by Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida—enables subscribers to view real-time network coverage in their localities and directly report service outages and connectivity issues to the operator.
In a statement endorsing the rollout, President Tinubu noted that the initiative directly aligns with his administration’s agenda to deepen digital infrastructure, attract private-sector capital, and safeguard the interests of telecom consumers nationwide.
Boosting Transparency and Infrastructure Investment
President Tinubu praised the growing culture of transparency within Nigeria’s telecom space, specifically referencing the NCC’s public coverage mapping, network quality disclosures, and consumer satisfaction tracking.
Highlighting Airtel’s infrastructure growth, the President recalled his February 2025 meeting with Bharti Airtel Founder and Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, where the administration pledged a supportive regulatory environment and stronger protection for critical national digital assets.
Since then, Airtel Nigeria has expanded its footprint from 15,000 base stations to over 17,000 nationwide. The growth includes 1,050 new sites deployed during its 2025/26 financial year alone, featuring 657 high-speed 5G towers.
President Tinubu emphasized that continuous infrastructure buildout remains critical for expanding broadband accessibility, supporting small businesses, and driving economic growth across the country.
Supporting Youth Through Free Educational Data
The President also tied the private-sector milestone to recent public-sector digital initiatives, including the Federal Government’s Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms scheme.
Executed via the NCC in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and mobile network operators, the initiative grants eligible students up to 100MB of free daily data to access approved educational portals and online learning resources.
Call for Better Service Delivery in Underserved Areas
While commending the leadership of the NCC under Dr. Maida for robust regulatory oversight, President Tinubu challenged all telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria to translate financial investments into tangible improvements for everyday users.
He urged network operators to prioritize expansion into underserved rural communities, eliminate frequent service disruptions, and resolve subscriber complaints swiftly.
“The ultimate test of telecommunications investment and innovation lies in the actual experience of Nigerians who rely on these services daily for their livelihoods, education, and business,” Tinubu stated, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to prioritizing consumer welfare alongside industry growth.
