CONFIRMED! Nigerians to Pay More for Calls, Data Services As FG Approves Tariff Hike By Telcos
Speculations about possible increase in prices of calls and data services in the new year which surfaced in the last quarter of 2024 were substantiated on Wednesday by the minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, Bosun Tijani who confirmed that Federal Government has no option but to grant the Mobile Network Operators the increment in tandem with current existential realities, noting that the increase will not be up to 100%
By: Olufemi Orunsola
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News authoritatively reports that Nigerians should brace up for a hike in prices of tariffs for telecommunication services in this new year, 2025.
Speculations about possible increase in prices of calls and data services in the new year which surfaced in the last quarter of 2024 were substantiated on Wednesday by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bsun Tijani during an industry stakeholder forum with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Abuja.
The Minister, while speaking at the forum said, “The essence of this gathering is recognizing the critical role the telecom sector plays in driving Nigeria’s economic development".
Dr Tijani who confirmed the inevitability of the coming tariff hike said, "Tariff will go up. That’s the verdict. But it won’t be by 100%," adding that, "We need to ensure that as a sector, we put the right regulations in place that can ensure the growth of this sector,continue to contribute to job creation, but also enable other key sectors in the country as well.”
The minister further revealed that the Federal Government would no longer rely solely on private companies to invest in the s ofector’s infrastructure.
“As a country, over time, we have left these investments in the hands of the private sector. They typically invest where they can see returns in the short to medium term.
“We will not want this conversation to just be about tariff increase. What the world is talking about today is meaningful connectivity; people want to have access to quality service.
He also assured that the NCC had implemented various tools and mechanisms to ensure adherence to service quality standards.
He therefore urged Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to use simplified templates to clearly display charges for voice calls per minute, SMS, and one megabyte of data to Nigerians.
“We are moving away from the regime where you will have a main rate, then you will now have a bonus which is at a different rate," the Minister said.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, represented by Femi Adeniran, Airtel media spokesperson, explained that the economic realities of rising operational and capital costs necessitated the proposed tariff adjustments.
Balsingh said that for the telecommunications companies to deliver superior connectivity and foster digital inclusion, there is a need for tariff increments.
Balsingh revealed that for the telecommunications companies to deliver superior connectivity and foster digital inclusion, there is a need for tariff increments.
In his words, “The economic realities of rising operational and capital costs necessitated the proposed tariff adjustments.
“This is aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector while unlocking significant benefits for Nigerian consumers".
In all, OTN News correspondents who spoke with a cross section of Nigerians to know their reactions to the imminent tariff hike by the telecommunication services providers in Nigeria found out that Nigerians frown at an 100% increase but given the essential, if not indispensable nature of telecommunication to the survival of average Nigerians in today's world, would not mind to actually pay more, given that the quality of calls and data services provided to them by the Telcos improves significantly, enabling end users to get significant value for the money spent on the services.
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