Telecommunications provider, 9mobile, has applauded the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for approving a 50% tariff adjustment—a vital initiative aimed at addressing persistent challenges in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

This decision, reached after extensive deliberations, marks a significant step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry by enabling the necessary investments to enhance service quality for consumers nationwide.

The telecom industry had previously advocated for a substantial tariff review to combat surging operational costs, driven by inflation, skyrocketing energy prices, and a currency devaluation exceeding 300%.

While the industry’s initial request called for a larger increase up to 100%, the NCC’s approval of a 50% adjustment represents a balanced approach to safeguarding affordability for consumers while addressing industry sustainability concerns.

Obafemi Banigbe, 9mobile’s CEO, emphasized that the tariff adjustment will enable telecom operators to reinvest in critical infrastructure upgrades and capacity expansion—both of which have been delayed due to financial constraints. “This tariff adjustment is timely and essential,” Banigbe stated.

“It allows operators to fulfill obligations and capital commitments necessary for future growth. Without this, the industry risked a decline in service quality due to insufficient funding. With this change, we are better positioned to drive innovation, growth, and enhanced connectivity for Nigerians.”

Banigbe further noted that the increase provides a much-needed boost for 9mobile’s ongoing business transformation. This includes modernizing network infrastructure, expanding coverage, and improving digital platforms for faster and more reliable connectivity. “This decision enables us to replace outdated equipment, expand our network to underserved areas, and enhance the overall customer experience,” he added.

The tariff adjustment is a strategic measure to bridge the funding gap exacerbated by rising operational expenses, many of which are denominated in foreign currency.

These challenges have strained telecom operators, limiting their ability to reinvest and driving up debt levels. The new pricing structure provides a pathway to financial stability while ensuring the delivery of top-tier services to millions of Nigerians.

Telecom operators have long advocated for market reflective pricing structure, highlighting its importance for industry sustainability. The approval of this tariff adjustment ensures that operators can balance affordability with the need to cover escalating costs and maintain quality services.

Reaffirming 9mobile’s commitment to the Nigerian market, Banigbe stated: “Our focus remains on investing in infrastructure that delivers reliable and innovative services to our esteemed customers. We are dedicated to empowering Nigerians through connectivity, expanding access, and supporting the nation’s vision of becoming a leading digital economy in Africa.”

With this development, 9mobile is poised to further strengthen its reputation as a customer-centric, quality-focused service provider, ensuring that Nigerians remain connected and empowered in an increasingly digital world.

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MTN, Nigeria’s leading telecommunications provider, and Tomorrow.io, an advanced weather intelligence company.

This partnership aims to develop a Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) System to deliver location-specific, actionable weather advisories to Nigerian farmers via mobile SMS.

The collaboration aligns with the United Nations’ goal of ensuring early warning systems for all and aims to strengthen climate resilience in Nigeria, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Speaking at the MoU signing at NiMet Headquarters in Abuja, Professor Charles Anosike, Director General of NiMet, emphasized the partnership’s goal to improve agricultural productivity and resilience by providing localized, timely weather advisories.

He noted that this initiative aligns with the food security agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

Professor Anosike highlighted the strategic choice of MTN and Tomorrow.ioas partners, praising their leadership in their respective sectors.

He welcomed MTN CEO Karl Toriola and the Tomorrow.io team to NiMet for the groundbreaking MoU signing, which he believes will impact not only the agricultural sector but the entire Nigerian economy.

Anosike’s primary objective is to open up the business of climate science to the private sector, demonstrating its incredible impact.

MTN CEO Karl Toriola expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to support the agricultural sector, emergency and disaster management, the public, and the Nigerian economy as a whole. He thanked NiMet for allowing MTN to partner with it.

Dr. Henry Onyemachi, Managing Director of Tomorrow.io, thanked Professor Anosike for his strong leadership in directing the process leading to the MoU signing. Onyemachi reflected on the progressive journey that began a year ago and emphasized the project’s impact on food security, a key focus of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Under the terms of the MoU, the parties will collaborate in developing, deploying, and testing the DCAS platform, which will provide weather-based advisories to farmers through SMS notifications.

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), an umbrella group for trade unions, has announced that Nigerians are planning a statewide boycott of telecom services in protest of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50% increase in phone costs.

Following carriers’ demands for cost-reflective charges amid challenging economic conditions, the NCC approved a 50% increase in telephone tariffs on Monday.

This hike, which fell short of the 100 percent increase that telcos requested, caused the average cost of calls to go from N11 to N16.5 per minute, the cost of 1GB of data to go from N287.5/GB to N431.25, and the price of SMS to go from N4 to N6.

“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 percent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 percent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability,” the commission said.

In a statement issued , Joe Ajaero, president, NLC, denounced the tariff increase, calling it an unfair burden on those who are already facing financial difficulties.

He voiced concerns about the hike’s timing, pointing out that it comes while inflation and purchasing power are on the rise.

He said, “This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.

“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 percent of their wages on telecom charges.

“For a worker earning the current minimum wage of N70,000, this means an increase from N7,000 to a staggering N10,500 per month, or 15 percent of his salary—an unsustainable cost.

“NLC is not opposed to a tariff review but disagrees with the approved rate of increase. We therefore call on the government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of this ill-advised hike to allow a reasonable conversation around it.

“If the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then we can all seek a more humane increase and definitely not this 50 percent hike,” he stated.

The NCC added that rate adjustments were made to close the gap between current tariffs and growing operating costs without compromising service delivery to customers.

Telcos had complained that a 300 percent increase in operational costs was forcing them to shut down.