23 January 2025
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorised mobile operators' request for price increases, capped at 50% of current tariffs rather than the 100% demanded.
“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission's standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024,” said the NCC in a statement.
Tariff rates in Nigeria have remained constant since 2013, despite increased operating costs for telecom companies. In recent weeks, there has discussion between the NCC and telecom providers such as MTN, Airtel, Glo, and others requested new pricing adjustments for voice, SMS, data, and other services across the industry.
The telcos cautioned that Nigeria's telecoms sector was in disarray, and that failing to change pricing would have serious ramifications, affecting service quality.
“The NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments. To this end, the Commission has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers. Operators are also required to educate and inform the public about the new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery. The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised. These adjustments will support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage. “Recognising the concerns of the public, this decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. The NCC has prioritised striking a balance between protecting telecom consumers and ensuring the sustainability of the industry, including the thousands of indigenous vendors and suppliers who form a critical part of the telecommunications ecosystem,” said the NCC.
