
Nigeria’s mobile phone users face higher costs as the government enforces a 50% tariff increase to address economic pressures.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced the adjustment this week, citing “prevailing market conditions” as the driving force.
This marks the first change in mobile tariffs since 2013 in Africa’s fourth-largest economy.
The hike comes as Nigerians grapple with a 34.8% inflation rate, the highest in nearly 30 years, intensifying financial hardships.
“This is not the right time to increase call costs,” said 51-year-old trader Adebisi Olanrewaju.
“Life is already unaffordable, and this adds to our burdens.”
Under the new structure, the cost of phone calls rises to 9.6 naira per minute, up from 6.4 naira.
The NCC emphasized that the increase aims to balance operational expenses and prevent service disruptions.
Telecom operators, initially proposing a 100% hike due to surging costs, agreed to the government’s 50% adjustment.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, stated, “This review ensures the sector’s sustainability and prevents disruptions in service.”
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has urged operators to use the increased revenue for service enhancements.
Nigerians now await to see if the tariff rise will bring promised improvements amid the nation’s economic challenges.