Starting today, Nigerians will start paying higher for voice calls, SMS, data plans and other services rendered via telecom companies.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to announce a long-anticipated tariff adjustment, marking the first hike in over a decade. This decision is as a result of persistent pressure from telecom operators, who mentioned rising inflation and the naira’s devaluation as factors making the current rates unsustainable. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the announcement will be made today, following months of deliberations between regulators and industry stakeholders.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, confirmed the approaching price adjustment during a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday. While recognizing the need for tariff revisions, Tijani also assured the public that “The hike will not be by 100%”. He emphasized that operating costs for telecom companies have surged by more than 300% over the past two years.
Tijani said. “The NCC will issue a clear directive soon on how this will be implemented.”
Telecom operators have advocated for higher tariffs since May 2022, initially proposing a 40% increase. If approved, this would see call rates rise from ₦11 per minute to ₦15.40, SMS charges increase from ₦4 to ₦5.60, and the cost of a 1GB data bundle climb from ₦1,000 to ₦1,400. Operators argue that the adjustments are necessary to sustain service delivery amidst mounting economic challenges.
Some operators have proposed a phased approach to mitigate the impact on consumers. Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, highlighted this in an exclusive Op-ed, stating: “While tariff adjustments are essential, we are committed to implementing gradual changes to support our customers. This approach allows us to reinvest in infrastructure, expand coverage, and enhance service quality, ensuring Nigeria remains competitive in the global digital economy.”
The tariff hike aligns with the government’s broader strategy to address telecom infrastructure challenges. Minister Tijani reiterated that infrastructure development cannot be left solely to private operators. To complement the tariff adjustments, the federal government plans to deploy a 90,000km fibre optic network across all 774 local government areas. The project, slated to commence in Q2 2025, aims to expand broadband access nationwide.
“This initiative is critical for laying the foundation for more affordable and reliable telecom services across the country,” Tijani stated. “We are committed to ensuring that all Nigerians have access to high-quality, long-term telecom solutions.”
The combination of tariff adjustments and government-led infrastructure investment underscores a dual focus on addressing immediate operational challenges while building a robust framework for the sector’s future growth.
