The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced that telecom tariffs will soon increase, although not by the 100% proposed by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
Speaking after a stakeholder meeting with MNOs in Abuja on Wednesday, Tijani emphasized that consultations were ongoing to determine a balanced approach.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MNOs had requested a 100% hike in tariffs to address rising operational costs.
However, the minister assured Nigerians that the tariff increase would be moderated. “The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will soon release clear guidelines on the new tariff structure,” he said.
Balancing Consumer Protection and Industry Growth
Tijani highlighted the government’s dual responsibility of protecting citizens from excessive costs while ensuring telecom companies remain profitable and capable of making significant investments in infrastructure.
“There’s a need for the sector to align its operations with appropriate regulations to foster sustainable growth,” Tijani added.
Government Investment in Infrastructure
The minister also revealed that the Federal Government would no longer rely solely on private companies for infrastructure development in the telecommunications sector, signaling a shift toward more government involvement.
Stay tuned for updates as the NCC finalizes and announces the new tariff framework.
NAN
