The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a 50% increase in tariffs for data and airtime, raising the cost of telecommunications services across the country.
Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s spokesman, announced the adjustment on Monday, stating that the approved increase is significantly lower than the over 100% requested by some network operators. He said the decision was made in consideration of ongoing reforms aimed at ensuring industry sustainability.
The adjustment aligns with the NCC’s regulatory powers under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA), which empowers the Commission to regulate and approve tariffs for telecommunications operators.
“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study,” the statement read. “Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, following the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.”
According to the NCC, tariff rates have remained static since 2013 despite rising operational costs for telecom operators. The Commission explained that the new rates are intended to bridge the gap between current tariffs and operational expenses, ensuring service delivery is not affected.
“The approved adjustment aims to support operators in maintaining investments in infrastructure and innovation. This will ultimately benefit consumers through improved network quality, better customer service, and wider coverage,” the statement added.
Acknowledging the financial challenges faced by Nigerians, the NCC emphasized that operators must implement the changes transparently and fairly. It also directed them to educate the public about the new rates and demonstrate measurable improvements in service delivery.
As of December 2023, Nigeria recorded over 224 million active telecom subscribers, according to NCC data. MTN Nigeria leads the market with over 87 million subscribers, accounting for 38.79% of the total market share. Globacom and Airtel each have 61 million subscribers, while 9mobile serves 13.9 million users.
