The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced that telecommunications tariffs in Nigeria will soon increase, although not by the 100% proposed by telecom operators. Speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Dr. Tijani emphasized that the government is committed to balancing consumer protection and ensuring the sustainability of telecom operators. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will finalize the new tariffs and announce them in the coming weeks. According to Dr. Tijani, the hike is necessary to address rising operational costs, but the government will ensure the increase is moderate.
Telecom operators, including MTN Nigeria and Airtel, have justified the tariff hike, citing a 300% increase in operational costs over the past two years. MTN CEO Karl Toriola and Airtel CEO Dinesh Balsingh noted that the proposed tariff adjustments are essential to sustain the industry and maintain service quality.
However, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has opposed the proposed increase, calling it “insensitive” in light of Nigeria’s economic difficulties. NATCOMS President Adeolu Ogunbanjo warned that the group may file a class-action lawsuit if the operators proceed without exploring alternative revenue options. Additionally, Sola Ajulo, President of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, suggested that any increase should be phased and carefully structured to minimize the impact on consumers.
The NCC has scheduled a critical stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the proposed tariff adjustments. This meeting will include consumer advocacy groups, telecom operators, and regulatory bodies. Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, indicated that the 100% hike is unlikely to be approved, and a more reasonable percentage will be determined following consultations.
Dr. Tijani also revealed that the Federal Government would no longer rely solely on private operators for telecom infrastructure investments. He emphasized the need for substantial investments in infrastructure to ensure meaningful connectivity and improve service quality nationwide. The proposed tariff adjustment is part of broader efforts to balance affordability for consumers with financial stability for operators, and the final decision from the NCC will shape the future of telecom pricing in Nigeria.
