Abuja, Nigeria
Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy of Nigeria, has confirmed that there will be an increase in telecom tariffs but clarified that it would not be a 100 percent hike.
This announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, where the minister emphasised the importance of implementing proper regulations within the telecommunications sector to foster its growth.
The decision to raise tariffs comes in response to mounting pressure from telecom operators, who have been urging regulators to adjust the prices to address the issue of declining investments in the sector.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) had previously warned that the sector may experience service shedding if tariffs are not adjusted.
Additionally, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review and increase call tariffs by the first quarter of 2025.
Minister Tijani assured that the NCC would finalize and announce the new tariffs following ongoing consultations and discussions.
“You have seen over the past weeks that there has been agitation from some of these companies to increase tariffs,” Tijani said.
“They are requesting for 100 per cent tariff increase.
“But it will not be by 100 per cent; the NCC will soon come up with a clear directive on how we will go about it.
“We want to strike the balance as a government, to protect our people, but also protect and ensure that these companies can continue to invest significantly.”
