The House of Representatives has ordered arrest summons for chief executives of telecommunications companies after they failed to honour an invitation to appear before its committee investigating the quality of services in the sector.

The lawmakers took the decision on Wednesday after rejecting the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, whom the companies sent to represent them.

The ad hoc committee, chaired by Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC-Ogun), directed that the chief executives and other top management officials of licensed operators appear before it on November 4, 2026.

The committee had, on October 21, summoned the chief executives of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other operators to explain persistent complaints about poor network services.

However, rather than appear personally, the companies sent Adebayo, a move that angered lawmakers who insisted that the operators must answer individually to the House.

Moving the motion, Rep. Sunday Umeha argued that each company held a separate licence from the Federal Government and could not use its membership of an industry association to avoid the invitation.

He also criticised a letter from ALTON which, according to him, challenged the committee’s authority to compel the companies to appear.

“I was shocked with what I saw in the letter. I saw a situation where ALTON is saying that they are not bound to appear before this committee. They see their appearance as a privilege to this committee and not as a statutory obligation,” Umeha said.

Citing Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the lawmaker maintained that the National Assembly had the power to investigate matters within its legislative competence, including the implementation of government policies affecting telecommunications.

He added that the committee was not bound by ALTON’s internal arrangements and could insist on individual appearances unless it accepted an authorised representative.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) representative confirmed that the commission had communicated the invitations to the chief executives individually.

The confirmation strengthened the lawmakers’ position that the operators had received proper notice but failed to honour the summons.

Umeha recalled that the committee had considered a motion to summon the executives for arrest at its previous sitting but agreed to give them another opportunity to appear.

He said the companies had again failed to comply despite the additional communication through the NCC.

Supporting the position, House spokesperson Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr. faulted ALTON’s decision to speak on behalf of the operators, arguing that subscribers dealt directly with individual telecommunications companies.

Rotimi also highlighted the security implications of inadequate network coverage in parts of his constituency in Ekiti State.

He alleged that two traditional rulers in the area had been killed in an ambush along a road where mobile network signals were unavailable for about 20 minutes.

He criticised operators for concentrating infrastructure in commercially attractive locations while leaving some communities underserved.

During the proceedings, lawmakers also questioned Adebayo about a reported N8.46 billion fine imposed on Globacom, asking whether he could adequately answer questions concerning individual operators.

Committee chairman Osoba subsequently put Umeha’s motion to a voice vote, and members voted in support. The committee adjourned until November 4.

The investigation follows persistent complaints about dropped calls, slow internet speeds, failed transactions and inadequate network coverage nationwide.

On October 20, the NCC reported that operators had compensated 75 million subscribers for poor service in 2026, while nearly three million others received refunds for failed airtime and data transactions.

The commission also reported more than 6,500 network interventions during the year.

Despite these measures, the four major operators recorded 413,587 consumer complaints in the first half of 2026. Airtel accounted for 228,992 complaints, MTN recorded 124,405, Globacom had 56,810, while T2mobile recorded 3,885.

Although operators reportedly resolved 406,938 complaints, concerns about service quality have persisted, prompting the House to demand explanations and concrete measures to improve network performance.