The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country’s telecommunications regulator, has announced plans to hold a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Thursday to deliberate on the proposed 100% tariff hike in the telecom sector. The meeting will bring together key representatives from consumer advocacy groups and industry stakeholders to assess the potential effects of the price increase on Nigeria’s telecom landscape.
Adeolu Ogungbanjo, President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), confirmed the development, stating that he was invited to attend the meeting. “I had earlier highlighted the need for the NCC to address this issue, and I have now been invited to participate in the meeting, which will take place on Thursday at 2 pm,” Ogungbanjo told The PUNCH on Wednesday.
The proposal for a 100% increase in telecom tariffs, submitted by mobile operators, is currently awaiting the final approval of the NCC. The operators argue that the tariff hike is necessary to cover rising operational costs, particularly the increase in fuel prices and the depreciation of the Nigerian naira.
However, the proposal has sparked concerns among consumer rights groups. NATCOMS and other advocacy organizations fear that such a steep increase could place an additional financial burden on Nigerians, already grappling with economic challenges.
Sola Ajulo, President of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, also confirmed the meeting’s schedule during an appearance on Arise TV on Wednesday. Ajulo stressed that the discussions are crucial for determining the future of telecom pricing in the country. “It is essential that all relevant stakeholders come together and reach a consensus on this matter. The outcome of this meeting will play a significant role in whether the government will approve the price hike and under what conditions,” she said.
While Ajulo acknowledged that a price increase might be unavoidable due to the economic realities facing the sector, she cautioned that a 100% hike could be too extreme. “Even a 40% increase may be excessive. A more balanced approach, with gradual and measurable conditions, could be a better solution,” Ajulo suggested.
In addition to the proposed tariff increase, mobile operators have committed to using the additional revenue to fund significant upgrades in network infrastructure and service quality. This commitment is a key condition for the approval of the tariff hike, as operators await the final decision from the NCC. As part of the agreement, the NCC will oversee the implementation of these upgrades to ensure that telecom companies fulfill their obligations.
