Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have announced plans to increase their service tariffs by 50% starting in March 2025.
The adjustment, which was disclosed by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), will take effect once the necessary regulatory approvals have been secured from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Grassroots Parrot reports how NCC had given its approval for the tariff hike on January 20, 2025, marking the first increase in over a decade.
The decision comes in response to mounting operational costs and economic challenges facing the telecom industry.
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Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, stated that each telecom provider would release its own tariff structure and was in the process of filing, reviewing, and obtaining final approvals from the NCC.
He emphasized that the tariff adjustment was critical for the survival of the industry, urging the government not to expect telecom companies to continue subsidizing other sectors.
According to Adebayo, the industry must charge sustainable rates to remain viable. He stressed that maintaining artificially low prices was unsustainable and could negatively impact service quality and network expansion efforts.
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The announcement has generated mixed reactions among consumers, with concerns about affordability and the impact on businesses that rely heavily on telecommunications services.
Industry stakeholders, however, argue that the hike is necessary to ensure continued investment in network infrastructure and service delivery.