The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs, marking the first of such adjustment in nearly eleven years. The decision affects voice calls, data services, and SMS charges across all mobile networks in the country.
The regulatory body’s approval comes after telecommunications companies initially requested a 100% tariff increase in October 2024, citing mounting losses from Nigeria’s currency devaluation and rising operational costs. The NCC settled on a more moderate 50% increase to balance industry sustainability with consumer protection.
According to NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the adjustment aims to address the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring service quality is not compromised. Tariff rates had remained unchanged since 2013 despite increasing operational expenses.
The decision has faced immediate pushback from consumer advocacy groups. Both the Association of Cable TVs, Internet and Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria) and the National Association of Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMS) have rejected the increase, describing it as insensitive to struggling Nigerians already dealing with soaring inflation and fuel subsidy removal. NATCOMS has announced plans to challenge the hike in court.
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The new pricing structure will affect Nigeria’s over 224 million subscribers across all major networks, including MTN (87 million subscribers), Globacom (61 million), Airtel (61 million), and 9mobile (13.9 million).
The NCC has mandated that operators implement these changes transparently and demonstrate measurable improvements in service delivery, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and expanded coverage. The implementation will follow the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024, with adjustments reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
