The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced that telecom tariffs in Nigeria will soon increase, but the government will not approve the 100% hike requested by telecom operators.
The minister made this disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting with mobile network operators in Abuja, stating that consultations and engagements are ongoing to arrive at an acceptable rate.
According to Tijani, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will soon approve the new tariffs and make them public.
The telecom operators have been pushing for a tariff increase due to rising operational and capital costs.
The CEO of Airtel Nigeria noted that tariff increments are necessary to deliver superior connectivity and foster digital inclusion, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.
However, the government is cautious about approving a 100% tariff hike, considering its potential impact on Nigerian consumers. Instead, the government aims to strike a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring that telecom companies can continue to invest in the sector.
The NCC has also revised its quality of service regulations to ensure that mobile network operators provide transparent billing information to consumers.
This move is expected to promote accountability and transparency in the telecom industry.
