Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has assured Nigerians that the proposed increase in telecom tariffs will not reach the 100% hike requested by telecom operators.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Abuja, the minister revealed that consultations are ongoing to determine a fair and acceptable rate.
He noted that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would soon announce the revised tariffs.
“There has been agitation from some companies to increase tariffs by 100%, but that will not happen.
“The NCC is conducting a study, and we will ensure a balanced approach that protects consumers while supporting continued investment by these companies,” Tijani said.
He emphasized the government’s focus on improving the telecom sector’s infrastructure, noting that private sector investments alone are insufficient.
“As a country, we can no longer rely solely on private sector investments.
“We need to prioritize meaningful connectivity and quality service delivery,” he added.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, stated that the ongoing consultations aim to ensure the sustainability of the telecom industry.
While he acknowledged Nigerians’ anticipation of the approved tariff percentage, he assured that a decision would be made public within two weeks.
Dr. Maida also highlighted the NCC’s efforts to simplify telecom charges by revising quality-of-service regulations.
“We are moving away from complex billing regimes. MNOs will now clearly show charges per minute for voice calls, SMS, and data usage,” he said.
Femi Adeniran, representing Airtel Nigeria’s CEO, stressed that rising operational and capital costs necessitated the tariff adjustment.
He maintained that the move would ensure the sector’s sustainability while improving connectivity and digital inclusion for Nigerian consumers.