Tinubu welcomes Airtel’s Open Network initiative

President Bola Tinubu expressed his approval of Airtel Nigeria's new Open Network initiative on Friday, praising it as a step towards greater transparency, consumer protection, and enhanced telecommunications services nationwide. The initiative, announced in Lagos, enables users to access information on network developments in their regions and report service issues directly to the provider.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu emphasized that the initiative aligns with his administration's efforts to attract private-sector investment, expand digital infrastructure, and ensure Nigerians benefit from reliable and accessible telecom services. He commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)'s transparency measures, such as public network coverage maps, performance data, and consumer satisfaction surveys, which assist citizens in understanding available services and holding operators accountable.

Tinubu also highlighted the Federal Government's Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content Initiative, which provides eligible students with up to 100MB of free daily data for accessing educational websites and resources. In a recent meeting with the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Airtel, Sunil Bharti Mittal, in February 2025, Tinubu reiterated his commitment to fostering a conducive environment for telecommunications investment, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and safeguarding critical digital infrastructure.

He noted that Airtel Nigeria's network has expanded from 15,000 sites to over 17,000 nationwide, with an additional 1,050 sites added in the 2025/26 financial year, including 657 fifth-generation sites. Tinubu praised the NCC's efforts under Dr. Aminu Maida to strengthen regulatory oversight, transparency, and consumer protection, urging operators to continue investing in network expansion, especially in underserved areas, and promptly address customer complaints.