The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has announced that telecom tariffs will increase, though not by the 100 per cent being proposed by operators.
Tijani disclosed this during an interview with journalists on Wednesday, according to a video shared by Channels TV on X (formerly Twitter).
Telecom operators have proposed a 100 per cent increase in their tariffs, pending government approval.
The proposal, submitted to the Nigerian Communications Commission, seeks to address rising operational costs, including inflation and higher service delivery expenses.
Speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the minister highlighted the importance of proper regulations to ensure the telecommunications sector’s sustainable growth.
He emphasised the need for a balanced approach to support the industry amidst global inflationary pressures.
“The verdict is that tariffs will increase, but not by 100 per cent. We are still reviewing the commissioned study, and the Nigerian Communications Commission will issue directives to strike a balance. This is about protecting Nigerians while ensuring telecom companies can continue to invest significantly,” Tijani said.
He outlined key initiatives under consideration, including enforcing the executive order to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure and increasing local content in the industry. These measures aim to sustain the sector’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.
Tijani also acknowledged telecom operators’ push for substantial tariff adjustments, attributing it to rising operational costs.
He noted that the government is working to mitigate the impact of tariff hikes on Nigerians through targeted measures.