Subscribers have strongly criticized the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for suggesting a potential telecom tariff increase ranging from 30% to 60%.
The Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria), which represents over 220 million subscribers across the country, stated that the proposed hike contradicts agreements reached during a meeting held on January 9, 2025, at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) headquarters in Abuja.
The group argued that the Minister lacks the authority to unilaterally determine prices in a liberalized market.
Sina Bilesanmi, National President of ATCIS, emphasized that a tariff hike was neither discussed nor agreed upon during the Abuja meeting. He questioned the rationale behind advocating for an increase that would further burden Nigerians already grappling with economic challenges.
Bilesanmi clarified that the January 9 meeting focused on ensuring adequate stakeholder consultation and sensitization before any potential tariff adjustments.
He stressed the importance of a collaborative approach that involves subscribers through their representative body, ATCIS.
In a recent television interview, Minister Tijani acknowledged mobile network operators’ (MNOs) demand for a 100% tariff increase to stabilize the sector.
