Telecom Operators Defy Lawmakers, Push Ahead With 50% Tariff Hike—More Shocks Ahead

A recent report reveals that leading telecommunications companies are set to implement a 50% tariff increase following regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The decision comes despite opposition from the House of Representatives, which had instructed the NCC and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to halt the price hike. Lawmakers argued that Nigerians are already struggling with rising inflation and the financial strain caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.

The tariff hike, approved by the NCC, was slated to take effect nationwide starting Monday. While MTN began implementing the new rates on Tuesday, other major providers, including Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, have yet to announce their updated pricing structures.

A senior MTN executive confirmed to Punch that the price adjustments had commenced but were being introduced gradually.

“Yes, we’ve started updating our price lists. However, the process is gradual, and we haven’t applied it to all products yet,” the executive stated.

The price adjustments primarily target MTN data plans. For example:

• The 1.5GB monthly plan, previously priced at ₦1,000, has been replaced with 1.8GB for ₦1,500.
• The 15GB plan jumped from ₦4,500 to ₦6,500, while the 20GB plan now costs ₦7,500, up from ₦5,500.
• Larger bundles saw even steeper increases: the 1.5TB (90-day) plan rose from ₦150,000 to ₦240,000, and the 600GB (90-day) plan increased from ₦75,000 to ₦120,000.

The MTN source added, “From tomorrow (Wednesday), prices of other MTN products will also be adjusted. We’re doing it in phases. Not all prices went up; some remained the same, and others increased by less than 50%.”

A senior official at Globacom, speaking anonymously, confirmed that although Glo hadn’t rolled out the new tariffs yet, an update was expected before the end of business on Tuesday.

Similarly, an executive at Airtel, who requested anonymity, indicated that the tariff hike had been implemented across the industry.

“As far as I know, every operator has commenced the adjustment. This is an industry-wide decision, not just an individual operator’s choice. While our prices have never been uniform, the decision was made collectively on Monday. Even if not fully rolled out, all operators must have started by now,” the source stated.