The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has reaffirmed that the Federal Government will not approve a 100% increase in telecommunications tariffs.
Telecom companies have long been advocating for a tariff hike, pointing to rising operational costs, inflation, and the depreciation of the naira as key factors driving the demand.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Tijani acknowledged the need for a tariff adjustment in the telecom sector but emphasised that the government cannot sanction the 100% increase requested by the companies.
When asked about the possible range for the tariff increase, he stated, “I think it should not be more than anywhere between 30 to 60%.”
The Minister explained that while telecom companies argue that a 100% increase is essential to stabilise the sector, the government recognises the potential harm such an increase would inflict on citizens.
“We have already made it clear that we are not going to approve 100%. These companies are asking for 100 per cent, stating clearly that this is what they believe they need to get.
“But what we are looking at in terms of the sector is that if this is the sector that is responsible for driving growth in our country, it will be harmful to our people to allow MNO to increase by 100 per cent,” Tijani stated.
He further noted that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is still evaluating the proposed tariff adjustments and has yet to finalise a specific figure.
Tijani highlighted the importance of striking a balance between the needs of the telecom sector and the welfare of the public. He stressed the necessity of considering the implications of any increase to ensure sustainability while enabling mobile network operators to enhance their services through continued investment in equipment and infrastructure.
