The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economic system, Bosun Tijani, has introduced that telecom tariffs will enhance, although not by the 100 per cent being proposed by operators.
Tijani disclosed this throughout an interview with journalists on Wednesday, in line with a video shared by Channels TV on X (previously Twitter).
Telecom operators have proposed a 100 per cent enhance of their tariffs, pending authorities approval.
The proposal, submitted to the Nigerian Communications Fee, seeks to handle rising operational prices, together with inflation and better service supply bills.
Talking after a stakeholders’ assembly in Abuja, the minister highlighted the significance of correct laws to make sure the telecommunications sector’s sustainable progress.
He emphasised the necessity for a balanced strategy to assist the trade amidst international inflationary pressures.
“The decision is that tariffs will enhance, however not by 100 per cent. We’re nonetheless reviewing the commissioned research, and the Nigerian Communications Fee will difficulty directives to strike a stability. That is about defending Nigerians whereas guaranteeing telecom firms can proceed to take a position considerably,” Tijani stated.
He outlined key initiatives into consideration, together with imposing the manager order to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure and rising native content material within the trade. These measures intention to maintain the sector’s contributions to Nigeria’s financial improvement.
Tijani additionally acknowledged telecom operators’ push for substantial tariff changes, attributing it to rising operational prices.
He famous that the federal government is working to mitigate the influence of tariff hikes on Nigerians by means of focused measures.
“The research we commissioned helps us discover methods to maintain the sector with out inflicting important hardship for our folks. Even the place challenges exist, we’re devising methods to alleviate them,” he added.
Not too long ago, the Chairman of the Affiliation of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Engr Gbenga Adebayo described the telecom sector as “underneath siege,” citing hovering operational prices pushed by inflation, risky change charges, and rising power costs.
He famous that regardless of these challenges, tariffs have remained unchanged, leaving operators struggling to keep up high quality service and develop their networks.
The telecom chief warned that with out a right away tariff adjustment, operators might resort to service shedding, resulting in restricted availability of telecom companies in sure areas.
Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Government Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, said that rising operational prices, which have surged by over 300 per cent within the final 18 to 24 months, have made tariff changes vital for the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector.
Based on Balsingh, the proposed tariff changes intention to make sure the sector’s sustainability whereas delivering important advantages for Nigerian customers.
“For over a decade, tariffs have remained static regardless of the dramatic enhance in working bills, which have surged by over 300 per cent within the final 18 to 24 months alone.
“To proceed offering high-quality companies and assembly the rising demand for digital connectivity, it has turn out to be important to realign our pricing construction with financial realities,” Balsingh emphasised.
