The Senate has threatened to summon the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications operators over persistent poor network services and alleged unjustified deductions from subscribers’ airtime.

The warning followed the adoption of a motion during plenary on Thursday, raising concerns over the financial losses Nigerians incur from failed calls, dropped connections and persistent network disruptions.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the Senate Committee on Communications would first engage the NCC and demand explanations over the recurring complaints from telecom subscribers.

He, however, warned that the Senate would summon the minister, the NCC Executive Vice-Chairman and telecommunications operators if their explanations were unsatisfactory.

Akpabio blamed inadequate regulatory oversight for the avoidable losses suffered by subscribers, insisting that the Senate would not hesitate to take further legislative action if the situation persisted.

The motion, sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno and presented by the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Oyelola Ashiru, highlighted growing complaints from Nigerians who lose airtime despite unsuccessful attempts to make telephone calls.

Monguno noted that subscribers frequently experience failed connections, abrupt call disconnections, poor voice quality and network interruptions, forcing them to make repeated calls and incur additional charges.

He maintained that Nigerians should not be made to pay for telecommunications services that operators fail to deliver effectively.

The lawmaker urged the Senate to mandate its Committee on Communications to engage the NCC and relevant service providers to investigate the complaints and recommend appropriate measures to safeguard consumers.

Akpabio also expressed dissatisfaction with the four-week reporting timeline proposed for the committee, describing it as unnecessarily long in view of the urgency of the matter.

He stressed the need for a swift intervention to address the persistent network challenges and protect millions of Nigerian telecommunications subscribers from avoidable financial losses.

The National Assembly has called for a comprehensive audit of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft to determine their airworthiness and serviceability following a recent aircraft crash in Ondo State.

The Senate and House of Representatives made the call on Tuesday, expressing concern over recurring military aircraft accidents and the need to improve aircraft maintenance, safety procedures and oversight of ageing fleets.

At the Senate, the resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West.

The lawmakers urged the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and make the findings public.

The Senate also mandated its committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, engage with NAF authorities and carry out a comprehensive assessment of aircraft in the military and presidential fleets.

Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, supported the motion, stressing the need to establish the operational readiness and airworthiness of military aircraft to prevent future accidents.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, called for the Senate to obtain the NAF’s aircraft maintenance budget to determine the funds allocated for servicing its fleet.

His proposal, seconded by Senator Titus Zam of Benue North-West, also seeks to establish whether the funding provided for aircraft maintenance is adequate.

The Senate further urged the Federal Government to prioritise regular aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing military aircraft.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives adopted a similar position following a motion moved by Alhassan Rurum.

The House urged the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen its maintenance systems, particularly for ageing aircraft, and ensure that only aircraft meeting required safety standards are deployed for operations.

A member of the House, Donald Ojogo, commended the pilot’s actions, noting that they helped reduce the potential damage that could have occurred if the aircraft had crashed in a densely populated area.

Also speaking, Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Army, described the incident as a painful reminder of the risks military personnel face while defending the country.

The National Assembly observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims and extended condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the Ondo State Government and the families of those who died.

The lawmakers said a comprehensive investigation and improved aircraft maintenance oversight were necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted several bills to the Senate for consideration, including proposals to reform the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), amend the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Act and establish a National School of Government.

The bills were conveyed to the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

One of the proposed legislations, the NDLEA Bill 2026, seeks to provide a consolidated legal framework for the agency’s operations and strengthen its enforcement powers, including its capacity to investigate persons suspected of involvement in illicit drug-related activities.

Also transmitted is the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau Amendment Bill 2026, which seeks to amend the existing 2022 Act to reposition the bureau as an independent authority and expand its mandate.

The proposed amendment further seeks to transfer supervisory oversight of the bureau to the Presidency and introduce changes to its administrative structure.

President Tinubu also forwarded the National School of Government Bill 2026, which seeks to repeal the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Act and establish a National School of Government.

The proposed institution is expected to serve as a national centre for governance training, public sector capacity development and institutional strengthening.

In addition, the President transmitted a bill seeking to domesticate the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols of 1977, which provide protections for victims of armed conflicts.

The proposed legislation also seeks to incorporate the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court into Nigeria’s domestic legal framework, providing for the prosecution and punishment of crimes including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression.

The bills are expected to undergo legislative consideration by the Senate as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen institutional frameworks, improve public sector governance and enhance the administration of justice.