The federal government has agreed to increase tariffs in the telecommunications sector, with the hike expected to take effect in the coming weeks.
This move aims to address the sustainability challenges facing the industry, meaning Nigerians will soon see higher costs for calls, data, and SMS.
However, the increase will be less than the 100 percent hike initially requested by service providers. The government intends to strike a balance between supporting sector growth and preventing excessive financial strain on consumers.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, made this announcement during an industry forum in Abuja on Wednesday.
“The purpose of this gathering is to acknowledge the crucial role the telecom sector plays in driving Nigeria’s economic development,” Tijani said.
“Tariffs will rise. That’s the decision, but it won’t be by 100%. We need to implement the right regulations to ensure the sector grows, continues to create jobs, and supports other key industries in the country.”
Tijani also revealed that the government has commissioned a study to assess the financial needs of the telecom sector while minimizing the impact on consumers.
Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), added that the tariff adjustments will be paired with measures to simplify billing systems and increase transparency.
“We’ve revised our quality of service regulations to include the entire value chain, from mobile network operators (MNOs) to tower companies and transmission firms.
“So, when these tariff adjustments take place, they will come with simplified billing. Every MNO or service provider will be required to follow a straightforward template, showing Nigerians the exact charges for voice calls, SMS, and data usage.”
Maida stressed the importance of meaningful connectivity and affirmed the government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure to ensure quality service across Nigeria.
While private sector investment has historically driven the telecom industry, Maida noted that the government is now stepping in to help accelerate development.
