N igeria’s telecom operators are set to introduce new tariff pricing structures in alignment with the 50% increase approved by the Nigerian government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). While the NCC stipulated that the tariff adjustment should take effect in February, service providers have announced that full implementation will commence in March.
During a recent stakeholder meeting in Lagos, telecom operators emphasized that the increase is vital for the industry's sustainability, not merely for boosting profitability. They argued that the adjustment reflects the current economic demands necessary to maintain service quality.
The announcement has sparked backlash from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), who have scheduled a protest for Tuesday, February 4. The unions are advocating for the reduction of the approved 50% increase to around 5%, citing concerns over the financial burden on Nigerian citizens.
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), highlighted that each telecom company would announce its specific new rates individually.
“We are now following the regulatory requirements of filing, reviewing, and obtaining approvals. As soon as those approvals come through, different players will introduce new rates. Over the next week, we expect to see changes in pricing,” Adebayo stated.
Adebayo further stressed the importance of this tariff adjustment for the sector's survival, asserting that the government should not rely on the telecommunications industry to subsidize other sectors.
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