Telecom operators in Nigeria may soon receive approval to increase tariffs for calls, SMS, and data services as early as the first quarter of 2025. A senior official from a major telecom company, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is considering the request in light of escalating operational expenses.
This potential approval could bring an end to over a decade of lobbying by industry leaders such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel, and 9Mobile, who have long advocated for price adjustments to align with economic realities. Despite mounting operational costs driven by inflation, telecom operators have been unable to revise tariffs for the past 11 years.
The official expressed optimism that the federal government would approve the proposal:
“We strongly hope that our approval to increase tariffs will be granted. The sector is facing severe financial strain due to soaring operating costs. Without this adjustment, we risk losing investments and potentially jeopardizing the industry’s sustainability.”
Industry sources estimate that telecom tariffs could increase by up to 40% if approved. This would translate to a rise in the cost of a one-minute call from ₦11 to ₦15.40, SMS charges from ₦4 to ₦5.60, and the price of a 1GB data bundle from ₦1,000 to at least ₦1,400.
The telecom industry, critical to Nigeria’s digital economy, argues that the proposed adjustments are necessary to ensure continued service delivery and attract much-needed investments in the face of rising costs.
