Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that it will approve tariff adjustment requests by network operators, in response to current market conditions.

The adjustments, capped at a maximum of 50% of current tariffs, are lower than the over 100% requested by some operators.

These changes will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, adhering to the NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.

The adjustments aim to address the gap between operational costs and current tariffs, ensuring service delivery is not compromised.

They will support operators in investing in infrastructure and innovation, benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity.

The decision was made after extensive consultations with stakeholders, balancing consumer protection and industry sustainability.

The NCC has mandated transparent implementation and public education on the new rates, with a focus on measurable service improvements.

The NCC remains dedicated to fostering a resilient, innovative, and inclusive telecommunications sector, supporting indigenous vendors and suppliers, and promoting Nigeria’s digital economy.

The Commission will continue to engage with stakeholders to create a telecommunications environment that works for everyone.

Telecommunication subscribers under the aegis of Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria), at the weekend rejected the 30-60 per cent tariff increase proposed by Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, insisting that there should be no increase for now.

ATCIS-Nigeria said Tijani cannot speak for them, saying there is no conclusion on the tariff increase yet.

Sina Bilesanmi, national president, ATCIS-Nigeria in a statement, said a tariff hike was not one of the issues agreed upon with the regulator in Abuja, wondering why the minister is interested in hiking tariffs to the detriment of struggling Nigerians still reeling under the impact of economic reforms.

He said the minister’s statement was contrary to the agreements reached between the Consumer Bureau Department of the Commission of the  Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and stakeholders at a meeting convened on January 9, 2025, at the NCC headquarters in Abuja.

According to him, what was agreed upon at the January 9 Abuja meeting was that there would be no telecoms tariff hike for now until all the stakeholders, particularly the subscribers, are sufficiently enlightened and sensitised.

Recall that the minister, in a TV interview, had said even though the mobile network operators (MNOs) were demanding a 100 per cent increase to stabilise the sector, the government knew that such a level of increase would be harmful to the people.

On the threshold of the expected hike, he said: “I think it should not be more than anywhere between 30 to 60 per cent. We have already made it clear that we are not going to approve 100 per cent. These companies are asking for 100 per cent, stating clearly that this is what they believe they need to get.

“But what we are looking at in terms of the sector is that if this is the sector that is responsible for driving growth in our country, it will be harmful to our people to allow MNOs to increase by 100 per cent.”

However, Bilesanmi said it was not the duty of the minister to speak for tariff pricing, insisting that it is the responsibility of the NCC which has already started doing the consultation to do data-based empirical cost analysis.

He said the minister has no power to fix prices in a liberalised market.

“Our resolution was, one, that the telecom operators need to respect the telecom subscriber advocacy body and the act of NCC; that the NCC should tell the telcos to first meet with ATCIS being the telecom subscriber advocacy body for consultation, involvement, enlightenment, and engagement; that once telecom subscriber advocacy body agreed, it will call for public opinions on the per cent rate, and that ATCIS will then write NCC for approval, and anything outside of these may not work.

“As subscribers, we should be in collaboration with NCC because we’re the ones paying the money involved. We agreed at the meeting that there will be no hike but further deliberation and consultation on the issue with relevant stakeholders, especially the MNOs and the subscribers would continue.

“The MNOs, through their representatives (ATCON and ALTON), were supposed to organise an enlightenment/sensitisation programme to address the issues. The MNOs were supposed to discuss the percentage increment with the subscribers’ representatives after which it will be taken to the subscribers for discussion. At the end of the meetings, we were expected to communicate an equilibrium price (a fair price agreeable to all) to the NCC for final approval,” he said.

According to Bilesanmi, any tariff hike will do more harm than good to the subscribers at a time when they are struggling to cope.

“It will further impoverish our members, especially small business owners whose offices and shops are their mobile phones and laptops. A hike in voice and data prices without recourse to the subscribers will spell doom for their business,” he said, adding that it might slow down the gains of the government’s digital economy ambition.

“ATCIS is the leading telecom subscriber advocacy body in Nigeria with over 220 million members across 36 states in the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

“It has a mission to promote mutual co-existence, and fair play, and defend the rights of telecom subscribers, by endorsing and ensuring good products and network service delivery from network operators and service providers to our corporate and individual members, while providing a platform to advance the rights of Telephone, Cable Tv and Internet Subscribers.”

Recent data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) has revealed that Nigeria’s electricity exports have reached a value of $112m.

According to the ITC’s website, Nigeria is currently exporting electricity to two neighbouring African nations: the Republic of Benin and Niger.

As of January 18, 2025, Nigeria’s electricity exports to Benin amounted to $66m, with a potential export value of $82m. However, there remains an unrealised export potential of $16m, according to the Punch.

Similarly, electricity exports to Niger were valued at $46m, with the potential for $51m in exports, leaving an unrealised potential of $4.1m.

“The products with greatest export potential from Nigeria to Benin are electrical energy, Urea, and Bars & rods of iron/steel,” the ITC noted.

It also highlighted that the largest absolute difference between potential and actual exports was in electrical energy, with an additional $4.1m in exports still unrealised.

The ITC further indicated that Nigeria’s exports to Niger include electrical energy, Portland cement, and soups, broths and preparations.

While the export data paints a picture of growth in the sector, concerns remain about the state of electricity supply in Nigeria.

According to the Punch, Chief Princewill Okorie, executive director, Electricity Consumer Protection Advocacy Centre, questioned the country’s priorities.

He said, “Are the electricity companies in those countries they export electricity to serve the consumers the way they serve Nigerian consumers? We cannot be celebrating electricity export when at home in Nigeria we are experiencing blackout and extortion in violation of our consumer protection laws. A good parent first takes care of his home before caring for outsiders.”

He further criticised the export of electricity, questioning whether the money generated was benefiting the Nigerian power sector.

“Is it the wellbeing of Nigerians that is more important or the money generated from export of electricity? If such money is generated, why not inject it into electricity when they are telling us they lack liquidity? What sense does it make for our local industries and economy to be dying because of electricity while export is building other countries’ economies?” Okorie asked.

He added that Nigeria’s economic struggles, including the exodus of professionals and youths, were exacerbated by power shortages, questioning the rationale behind celebrating electricity exports under these conditions.

“It is a shame. Charity begins at home. Let them also explain what the money has been used for when we keep borrowing from the World Bank,” he added.