BREAKING: Tinubu Approves Tariff Hike For MTN, Airtel, Other Telecom Operators
Nigerians can expect a telecom tariff hike soon, but it won’t be the 100% increase that telecom operators have been pushing for, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has announced.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who made this announcement at a stakeholders’ meeting with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the proposed tariff increase is aimed at striking a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring that telecom companies can continue to invest in the sector.
Although, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is still reviewing the proposal, the agency will likely announce the new tariffs soon.
Although the exact percentage of the tariff increase has not been disclosed, it’s likely to be around 40%, as reported by some sources.
This would mean that calls could rise from ₦11 to ₦15.40 per minute, SMS charges could increase from ₦4 to ₦5.60, and 1GB of data could cost at least ₦1,400.
The telecom sector has been facing significant financial challenges, with major operators like MTN Nigeria and Airtel reporting significant losses in 2023 and 2024. The tariff increase is intended to help the sector remain sustainable and encourage investment in infrastructure.
However, the minister said that consultations and engagements were ongoing to arrive at an acceptable rate, assuring that the NCC would soon approve the new tariffs and make it public to Nigerians.
Noting that telecom companies have been agitating for 100 per cent tariff hike, Tijani that what will be approved “will not be by 100 per cent”.
According to him, “NCC will come up with a clear directive on how we will go about it”.
He said the government wants to protect the public and also ensure that companies survive and continue to invest.
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