Nigerian Government Caps Telecom Tariff Hike at 60%, Says Minister

January 16, 2025

2 minutes read

Tariff Plan

The Federal Government has announced a limit on telecom tariff increases, ensuring that any adjustments to call and data rates do not exceed a 60% rise. This declaration was made by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, in response to growing concerns about affordability and the impact of inflation on telecom service costs.

In a press briefing on Monday, Tijani emphasized the government’s commitment to balancing industry needs with consumer protection. He stated, “While we recognize the telecom sector’s challenges, we cannot allow prices to rise unchecked, as this would disproportionately affect the average Nigerian.”

The proposed increase comes amid heightened operational costs in the telecom sector. Rising energy prices, foreign exchange volatility, and high inflation have significantly burdened telecom operators. Industry insiders claim that these factors have made it increasingly difficult for companies to maintain current tariffs while delivering quality service.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) recently echoed these sentiments, urging the government to expedite tariff reviews. They cited delayed action as a major deterrent to telecom investments in 2024, which subsequently impacted infrastructure development and service quality.

Under the new tariff structure, calls may cost as much as ₦18 per minute, up from the current average of ₦11. This represents a potential 63% increase, pushing close to the government-mandated limit. ALTON described this review as necessary but stressed that further delays could exacerbate the industry’s challenges.

Meanwhile, consumer advocacy groups have expressed mixed reactions. While some acknowledge the inevitability of tariff adjustments due to economic realities, others worry about the strain on household budgets. A recent survey revealed that over 60% of Nigerians rely heavily on mobile services for both communication and business, making affordability a pressing concern.

Minister Tijani reassured Nigerians that the government remains committed to ensuring fair pricing. He disclosed ongoing discussions with stakeholders to address consumer protection and infrastructure investments. He also emphasized plans to support rural connectivity and expand access to affordable telecom services across underserved regions.

As the telecom sector braces for the effects of these adjustments, experts predict that the government’s intervention will encourage operators to optimize their services while keeping costs relatively affordable for consumers.

Share:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Links

Beijing

Beijing Hosts Global Civilizations Dialogue Meeting

The Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting kicked off in Beijing on Thursday, July 10, 2025, ...

EFCC

EFCC Flags Crypto Use in Corruption by Politicians

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised alarms ...

Aliko Dangote

Dangote Urges End to Refinery Spending, Cites $18B Failure

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has called on the Federal Government to halt ...

Aids

U.S. Funding Cuts Threaten Global HIV Response

Decades of U.S.-led investment in AIDS programs have reduced deaths to the lowest levels in ...

Features

Flood

Texas Mourns as Flash Flood Death Toll Hits 120

Shock has turned to grief across Texas as the death toll from devastating flash floods ...

heat

Morocco Heat Wave Drives Surge in Air Conditioning Demand

Morocco is grappling with a severe heatwave this summer, with temperatures soaring well above average ...

UK

UK and US Clamp Down on Nigerian Visas:What Does It Really Mean?

The United Kingdom and United States have recently tightened visa policies for Nigerian citizens, sparking ...

Netherlands Returns 119 Looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Netherlands returned 119 looted artifacts, known as the Benin ...

Ngugi-wa-Thiongo

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o:Passed the pen to the Next Generation.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, a legendary Kenyan writer, scholar, and revolutionary voice in African literature passed ...

ECOWAS

ECOWAS Celebrates 50th Anniversary Amid Sahel States Tensions

On May 28, 1975, fifteen West African nations signed the Lagos Treaty, establishing the Economic ...

What Really Moves Bitcoin’s Price? A Comprehensive Guide to the Key Drivers of Volatility and Value

What Really Moves Bitcoin’s Price? A Comprehensive Guide to the Key Drivers of Volatility and Value

​Bitcoin, the pioneering cryptocurrency, has captivated the financial world with its innovative technology and notable ...

Guinea Sets September 2025 Date for Constitutional Referendum as Military Inches Toward Democratic Transition

Guinea Sets September 2025 Date for Constitutional Referendum as Military Inches Toward Democratic Transition

Guinea’s military-led government has officially announced that a national referendum on a new constitution will ...

Latest News

Today in History

July 13th is the day in 1174 that William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173–1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Henry II of England.

Exchange Rate Per Dollar

AM Armenian Dram383.9098
GH Ghana Cedi10.4
GM Gambian Dalasi71.5
GN Guinea Franc8,656
NG Nigerian Naira₦1,528.52
CF CFA Franc BEAC561.1712
13 Jul · CurrencyRate · USD
CurrencyRate.Today
Check: 13 Jul 2025 01:05 UTC
Latest change: 13 Jul 2025 01:00 UTC
API: CurrencyRate
Disclaimers. This plugin or website cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. You should confirm current rates before making any transactions that could be affected by changes in the exchange rates.
You can install this WP plugin on your website from the WordPress official website: Exchange Rates🚀

YOUR THOUGHTS

Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make wapress.africa even better!

newsletter image

Stay up to date with the latest from West Africa Press

Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on WApress.

Subscribe Newsletter!

Be the first to receive our latest contents and more...

Need help?