The federal government has proposed a 30-60% increase in telecom tariffs to sustain the telecommunications sector while ensuring affordability for Nigerians.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, revealed this during an interview on Channels Television, explaining that independent consultants, including KPMG, had provided recommendations. While operators had requested a 100% tariff hike, Dr. Tijani noted that the government was considering a more moderate adjustment to balance consumer affordability with the sector’s sustainability and growth.
“The telecommunications sector contributes over 16% to our GDP, employs thousands of Nigerians, and is critical to the nation’s digital economy. However, we must ensure services remain accessible while keeping the sector viable,” he said.
Dr. Tijani highlighted that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was leading the tariff review process, guided by data-driven analysis to prioritise consumer interests and sector sustainability.
Speaking on rural connectivity, the minister announced the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic networks and the construction of telecom towers in underserved regions through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
He also emphasised Nigeria’s leadership in global telecommunications infrastructure resilience, referencing recent efforts to address submarine cable disruptions. Additionally, he reiterated the government’s plans to harmonise taxes and designate telecom infrastructure as critical national assets.
Assuring Nigerians of improved service delivery, Dr. Tijani stated that operators would be held accountable for any service disruptions.
