By Joke Kujenya
TELECOM TARIFFS in Nigeria are set to rise, but not by the 100 percent increase sought by mobile network operators (MNOs), the government has confirmed.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced that ongoing consultations with operators aim to determine an equitable rate.
He said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will eventually approve and reveal the new tariffs in the coming weeks.
Tijani emphasised the government’s commitment to balancing consumer protection with the industry’s sustainability.
“We don’t want the focus to solely be on tariff increases. We are also looking at meaningful connectivity and ensuring the sector’s growth,” he said.
He noted that the Federal Government would no longer rely solely on private companies for infrastructure investments, highlighting that private sector contributions often prioritise short- to medium-term returns.
Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, reaffirmed this, stating that while a 100 percent tariff hike will not be approved, further engagements are underway.
He added that the NCC is working to simplify pricing models to address consumer concerns over hidden charges and perceived data theft.
Moreover, representatives from major telecom firms, including Airtel, cited rising operational and capital costs as reasons for seeking tariff adjustments.
Airtel’s spokesperson, Femi Adeniran, stressed the need for these adjustments to sustain the sector and maintain reliable services for Nigerians.
He also said that the forthcoming tariff review aims to strike a balance between affordability for consumers and enabling continued investment in Nigeria’s telecom industry.
