The Nigerian government is considering a tariff increase in the telecom sector, but there’s no need to worry — it won’t be the full 100% hike that telecom operators initially proposed.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, shared that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is working on strategies to find a balance. He made this announcement during a meeting with telecom operators, emphasizing that while a price increase is being discussed, it won’t be as steep as initially suggested. The push for a hike comes amid rising operational costs, inflation, and the devaluation of the naira, which have all put pressure on telecom companies.
MTN’s CEO, Karl Toriola, clarified that the industry’s focus is not on profitability but on long-term sustainability, especially given the challenging economic conditions.
There were earlier rumours of a 40% tariff hike, which caused a stir, but the NCC quickly debunked these claims, clarifying that no such plan had been approved. Still, the possibility of an increase has sparked mixed reactions. For example, Airtel argued that higher tariffs are necessary to maintain service quality and digital inclusion amid growing expenses.
Tijani also stressed that the government will no longer leave infrastructure investment solely to private companies. He pointed out that it’s crucial to improve service quality alongside pricing, stating, “People want meaningful connectivity, not just affordability.”