By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal Government has confirmed plans to adjust telecom tariffs but has assured Nigerians that the increase will not reach the 100% hike requested by industry operators.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. He stated that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would soon unveil the framework for the tariff adjustments.
Balancing Sustainability and Affordability
Addressing stakeholders, Tijani emphasized the need to ensure the sustainability of telecom companies while protecting consumers.
“We have considered several factors to ensure meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s development,” Tijani said. “These include implementing the Executive Order on protecting telecom infrastructure, driving local content, and maintaining the sustainability of telecommunications companies amid global inflationary pressures.”
While acknowledging the recent demands from telecom operators for a 100% tariff increase, Tijani assured Nigerians that such a drastic adjustment would not be approved.
“This is not something the government can support at the moment. However, we are committed to working with stakeholders to find a balanced approach that ensures affordability for consumers and sustainability for the industry,” he added.
Next Steps
The NCC, as the regulatory body, is expected to outline modalities for the adjustments in the coming weeks. The government’s approach aims to address the operators’ financial concerns while safeguarding consumer interests and the broader economic impact.
The move comes as Nigeria grapples with inflation and global economic challenges, which have put significant pressure on service providers and the cost of delivering telecom services.
