NCC affirms network operators will upgrade 12,000 base stations for improved connectivity

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, affirms the Mobile Network Operators plan to upgrade about 12,000 base stations, in 2026, as part of efforts at addressing persistent network quality and capacity challenges in the telecoms ecosystem

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the inability of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to meet the established regulatory minimum Quality of Service (QoS) standards across several locations in the telecoms ecosystem, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the network operators will upgrade 12,000 base stations in 2026.

ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, disclosed this development at a media breakfast meeting with the media Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Lagos.

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Maida said the regulatory directive to the MNOs followed their verified failures to meet established minimum Quality of Service standards in several locations across the West African country.

The EVC/CEO of the Commission affirmed the Telcos are planning to upgrade about 12,000 base stations this year as part of ongoing efforts at addressing persistent network quality and capacity challenges in the ecosystem.

The NCC Chief also said the telecoms industry recorded limited progress in 2025, with just over 300 base station upgrades completed, a development that reportedly contributed to network congestion amid consumers’ rising data demand.

Insight into improved spectrum allocation and trading

Maida, nonetheless, explained that the momentum has improved this year with about 2,800 base station upgrades already completed in the early part of 2026.

According to him, these upgrades include the expansion of existing site capacity, deployment of new infrastructure, and conversion of legacy 2G and 3G sites to 4G and 5G technologies respectively.

He equally told media partners: “These upgrades cover additional spectrum for 4G sites and the conversion of older networks to more advanced technologies.”

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission described spectrum as the “highways” of telecommunications.

He said that improved spectrum allocation and trading had contributed to better data speeds in some locations.

Maida, however, cautioned stakeholders that improvements in telecoms infrastructure might not immediately translate into better consumer experience because of rapidly increasing data consumption rate in the digital space in recent times.

He explained: “When service improves, usage increases.

“This often leads to congestion returning faster than expected if capacity is not continuously expanded.”

On sustained investment in fibre infrastructure

Dr. Maida said sustained investment in fibre infrastructure yet remains critical for delivering affordable, high-quality Internet access Nigeria.

The Chief Executive of NCC assured stakeholders that the Commission would continue to monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as data speed and latency, to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

The NCC is committed to consumer protection, stated he.

Maida as well restated that persistent poor service quality is no longer acceptable under the current regulatory direction for the industry.

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