The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed mobile network operators to compensate subscribers who suffer prolonged or repeated network outages, in a new framework set to take effect from April 2026.

The policy targets areas where telecom providers fail to meet regulatory Quality of Service (QoS) standards, marking a shift toward direct consumer compensation in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

Under the directive, affected users will receive airtime credits automatically—without needing to file complaints.

What the new rule means

The NCC said compensation will apply to subscribers in specific Local Government Areas where operators fall below required performance benchmarks.

To qualify, users must have experienced poor service and made at least one paid activity such as a call, SMS, or data usage during the affected period.

The regulator stated:

“Operators are required and mandated to identify affected subscribers and provide compensation directly.”

Both individuals and corporate customers are covered under the framework.

How compensation will work

Compensation will be issued as airtime credit, which can be used for calls, data, SMS, or USSD services.

The amount will depend on:

The user’s spending during the outage period

The operator’s service performance in the area

Verified usage data

Subscribers will be notified via SMS once the credit has been applied

Why it matters

For years, Nigerian telecom users have complained about dropped calls, slow internet, and unreliable service.

This new framework introduces a financial consequence for operators who fail to meet standards—potentially improving service delivery across the country.

It also strengthens existing consumer protections under the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2024 and QoS Regulations 2024.

Limits and exclusions

Not all service disruptions will qualify for compensation.

The NCC clarified that:

Short or quickly resolved outages may not be eligible

Exceptional events like vandalism, fibre cuts, or natural disasters will be reviewed case by case

Foreign SIM cards roaming in Nigeria are also excluded from the scheme.

Industry and consumer impact

The directive could increase operational pressure on telecom companies, which may face both compensation payouts and regulatory fines for repeated failures.

For consumers, however, it represents a major shift toward accountability.

Industry analysts say the move could encourage operators to invest more in infrastructure and network resilience.

What happens next

The NCC will monitor compliance and may conduct independent audits to ensure operators follow the directive.

Compensation will only be triggered after the Commission confirms a breach of service standards.

More details, including affected locations, are expected to be published on the NCC’s official website.

Nigeria is positioning itself to lead Africa’s infrastructure and cooling market as industry leaders highlight new opportunities driven by rapid population growth and urbanisation.

At the inaugural West Africa Infrastructure Expo 2026, held alongside HVACR Nigeria, stakeholders from the public and private sectors gathered to address the country’s infrastructure needs, from transport and energy to climate control systems.

Speaking at the event, Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at dmg events, said Nigeria’s scale presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

“Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, has a rapidly growing population, creating massive demand for infrastructure, housing and cooling solutions,” she said.

Why it matters

With over 241 million people and rising urban expansion, demand for cooling systems and sustainable buildings is accelerating.

Industry data shared at the summit shows Africa’s HVAC market was valued at $2.6bn in 2023 and is projected to reach $5.6bn within a decade with Nigeria leading in imports.

Heijmans said the expo goes beyond attracting investment, focusing instead on ensuring projects are delivered.

“It’s about moving from funding to actual execution and completion,” she added.

BIM technology reshaping engineering processes

A major highlight of the summit was the role of digital engineering tools in improving project efficiency.

Adedayo Adebimpe, Principal Project Director at View Scope Engineering, said Building Information Modelling (BIM) is transforming how engineers design and deliver projects.

He described BIM as a system that creates digital building assets and enables collaboration across disciplines.

“The most critical aspect of BIM is the information it provides,” he said.

Faster, smarter cooling design

Adebimpe explained that BIM allows engineers to extract accurate building data directly from architectural models, significantly reducing manual work.

Cooling load calculations, which traditionally take up to five days, can now be completed much faster using integrated systems.

This improves both speed and accuracy, while reducing human error.

GBXML enables seamless collaboration

Central to this process is Green Building XML (GBXML), which allows data sharing between architects and engineers.

The system transfers building elements such as walls, roofs, and spaces into analysis software, eliminating repetitive calculations.

“Spaces are the most important element, they carry the data needed for proper analysis,” Adebimpe noted.

However, he warned that results depend on the quality of the original digital model.

“Garbage in, garbage out.”

Rethinking cooling in Nigeria

Energy efficiency was another key focus, with experts calling for a shift in how cooling systems are designed.

Sathish Selvary, Country Manager at Thermax Limited, said Nigeria’s unstable power supply has made energy costs unpredictable.

He noted that most facilities rely on self-generated power, increasing operational expenses.

Waste heat offers new solution

Selvary highlighted waste heat recovery as an untapped resource in Nigeria’s industrial sector.

He said generators produce large amounts of heat that can be converted into cooling energy.

“A one-megawatt generator can produce up to 300 tons of cooling capacity if properly utilised,” he explained.

Absorption technology cuts energy costs

The use of absorption chillers systems powered by heat instead of electricity was identified as a game changer.

These system;

Reduce electricity use by up to 90%

Have minimal moving parts

Deliver reliable cooling for industries and data centres

Selvary said the technology has already been deployed globally and in Nigeria, with proven cost savings.

Financial and industrial impact

Companies adopting waste heat recovery systems are already seeing significant savings.

According to Selvary, a one-megawatt facility could save up to $200,000 annually, while firms in Lagos Freezone are reducing power consumption by over 600kW per hour.

He added that the technology also improves energy efficiency in data centres by lowering Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).

Skills gap still threatens progress

Despite technological advances, experts warned that Nigeria’s engineering workforce remains a major constraint.

Panelists including Eng. Patricia Odili, Eng. Olu Ogunduyile of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and Eng. Oludayo Oluyemi of the Nigerian Society of Engineers said universities still focus heavily on theory.

This leaves graduates unprepared for practical work, with many abandoning engineering careers altogether.

Industry calls for training reform

Speakers called for stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and agencies such as the Industrial Training Fund.

They recommended:

Expanded internship programmes through NYSC

Private-sector-led training initiatives

Continuous professional development for engineers

Some firms are already running multi-year training programmes combining site work, design, and project management.

Infrastructure delivery challenges persist

Eng. Valerie Agberagba highlighted broader systemic issues affecting infrastructure development.

She said financing gaps, poor coordination between government levels, and weak project oversight continue to delay progress.

“There are communication breakdowns between federal and state authorities, and it affects execution,” she said.

She also stressed the need for Nigeria to explore domestic funding sources rather than relying heavily on foreign investment.

What’s next

Stakeholders said Nigeria must combine innovation with policy reform to unlock its infrastructure potential.

They emphasised the need for:

Adoption of digital tools like BIM

Integration of energy-efficient technologies

Stronger regulatory enforcement

Continuous training and exposure for engineers

The summit concluded that collaboration between government, industry, and academia will be key to delivering sustainable infrastructure.

Wema Bank has introduced a new jingle to mark the next phase of its digital banking platform, ALAT, as it pushes deeper into innovation and customer-focused services.

The bank says the “ALAT: The Evolution” jingle reflects a smarter, faster, and more seamless banking experience for users.

What the new jingle represents

According to the bank, the jingle is “bright, catchy, and full of life,” designed to mirror the upgraded capabilities of the ALAT platform.

It forms part of a broader refresh of the app, which now includes features such as voice banking, contactless payments, and improved system reliability.

“The jingle reflects a platform built to simply work, pairing sound with innovation.”

The bank says each feature is embedded in the rhythm of the sound, reinforcing its message of speed, convenience, and reliability.

Why it matters

Digital banking adoption is rising rapidly in Nigeria, driven by mobile penetration and demand for faster financial services.

For many users, traditional banking processes can be slow or complex, often involving multiple steps and delays.

Wema Bank says the new jingle aims to “reimagine that experience” by presenting banking as simple, intuitive, and stress-free.

Short, engaging audio branding is also becoming a key tool for financial institutions competing for attention in a crowded digital market.

Features behind ‘ALAT: The Evolution’

The refreshed ALAT platform introduces several enhancements, including:

Voice banking functionality

Tap-and-pay transactions

Bank uptime prediction tools

Improved user interface and speed

The bank says these upgrades are designed to make banking more responsive and aligned with everyday needs.

Industry perspective

Analysts say Nigerian banks are increasingly investing in branding and user experience as competition intensifies in the fintech and digital banking space.

Audio branding, such as jingles, helps reinforce product identity and can improve recall among younger, mobile-first users.

What’s next

Wema Bank says the jingle signals a broader shift beyond technology upgrades.

It describes the move as part of its ambition to reshape how customers “feel” about banking — making it more natural, accessible, and engaging.

Customers are encouraged to update their apps to experience the new features tied to ALAT: The Evolution.