As telecommunication operators clamour for increase in call and data tariffs, the nation’s telecom regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured subscribers that there is no such approval from the Commission yet.
The Commission noted that it is yet to approve any tariff increase because of the current economic hardship being experienced by telecom consumers in the country. A source from the Commission’s Abuja office hinted that NCC sees telecommunication as a basic necessity for Nigerians, and in view of the current hardship in Nigeria, it will be oppressive to add the burden of high communication cost.
A senior NCC official, emphasised that the regulatory body operates under a transparent framework guided by the Nigerian Communications Act, according to Punch Newspaper.
According to the official, this framework requires stakeholder consultations and strict adherence to due process before any tariff adjustments are approved.
“These rumours are baseless and misleading. The NCC is committed to protecting consumers and ensuring that any potential tariff changes are communicated clearly and transparently,” the official stated.
Telecom service providers in the country under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) had at several forums warned that if there is no review of tariff, there will be disruption in telecom service in 2025.
ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo noted that without a tariff review to align with high costs of operations, critical telecom services could be greatly affected. This could lead to limited or suspended services in certain regions across the country.
He alluded to the fact that it is only the telecom sector that have not reviewed service price offering, as other sectors constantly review prices upwards to the tune of operational costs.
He explained that the telecom sector’s survival is at risk due to high expenses, such as energy prices, inflation, and unstable exchange rates. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulates price changes in the sector.
Adebayo warned that if these issues are not addressed soon, Nigeria could experience adverse consequences. He referred to the possibility of “service shedding,” where telecom operators may be forced to limit services in certain areas or at specific times, disconnecting millions of Nigerians.
This would lead to serious disruptions, especially in sectors like healthcare, education, and security, which heavily rely on telecommunications for their operations.
The ALTON Chairman stressed that while these challenges are not new, they have become severe over the past year. Operators are struggling to secure the financial resources needed to maintain and modernise telecom infrastructure, with unchanging tariffs compounding the problem.
Adebayo however noted that with the right reforms and collaborations, the telecom sector could recover in 2025. He urged the industry to work together to secure the sector and avoid the forthcoming disruptions.
