Nigeria’s telecom industry can no longer rest on subscriber numbers and headline growth.
As the sector matures, public expectations have shifted from mere access to clear returns on investment, dependable service and fair pricing.
After a turbulent 2025 marked by tariff hikes, USSD disputes and service complaints, the coming year will test whether telecoms will deliver real value or become a source of mounting frustration.
Below are seven issues that will define the sector in 2026.
1. Tariffs must earn public confidence
Price increases were accepted grudgingly last year. In 2026 the conversation will move from why prices rose to what consumers are getting in return. Regulators will face pressure to make tariff approvals conditional on measurable improvements in call reliability, data speed and network uptime. Persistent outages or chronic call drops will stiffen resistance to higher charges.
2. Data access will be a strategic priority
Data is now essential infrastructure. It powers finance, education, commerce and public services.
The challenge this year is to keep data affordable while preserving sustainable revenues for operators. Expect debates over new pricing models, targeted student plans, zero rated educational portals and experiments with MVNOs to widen access without breaking operator economics.
3. USSD will be judged on inclusion not revenue
USSD remains the lifeline for many who use basic phones. Billing reforms addressed transparency, but left affordability at the lower end unresolved. If cumulative session charges become punitive, millions could be cut off from mobile finance. 2026 is likely to see fresh talks among banks, operators and regulators on caps, bundled sessions or subsidies to protect financial inclusion.
4. Protecting infrastructure moves from rhetoric to action
Fibre cuts, vandalised base stations and power interruptions not only degrade service but also raise costs and delay expansion. This year must see telecom assets treated as critical infrastructure with coordinated protection plans, quicker incident response and stronger partnerships between operators and security agencies to keep networks working.
5. Regulatory fees and levies need harmonisation
A tangle of right of way charges, overlapping levies and inconsistent state policies adds to the cost of deployment. Subscribers ultimately pay for this fragmentation. Meaningful progress in streamlining regulatory costs and standardising fees across states would lower rollout expenses and speed fibre expansion, creating room for cheaper consumer pricing.
6. 5G must prove practical value beyond prestige
The novelty around 5G is waning. In 2026 focus will shift to tangible use cases that drive industry uptake. 5G will be judged on whether it supports manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and precision agriculture rather than only delivering faster urban downloads. Purpose driven deployment will determine whether 5G becomes transformative or merely cosmetic.
7. Trust is the sector’s most precious asset
Unexplained data loss, opaque billing and weak customer care have eroded confidence. Rebuilding trust requires transparency from operators, decisive action from regulators and real improvements in complaint resolution. Without trust, technological advances will struggle to win broad acceptance.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s telecom sector enters 2026 with immense potential and equally large responsibilities. Success will mean aligning prices with performance, innovation with inclusion and profit with public good. Get those balances right and telecom will remain the backbone of the digital economy. Fail to do so and the industry will face growing regulatory pushback and public discontent.
The year ahead will reveal which path the sector chooses.
Source: Buisness Day
