The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a tariff adjustment of up to 50% for telecom operators in response to rising operational costs. This was disclosed in a statement by Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, on Monday, January 20, 2024.
The NCC stated that the adjustment aligns with Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and will adhere to the 2013 Cost Study framework and its 2024 Guidance on Tariff Simplification.
The statement reads, “The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50% of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100% requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.
“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.”
The commission explained that the adjustment addresses a growing disparity between the rising operational costs faced by telecom operators and the static tariff rates, which have remained unchanged since 2013.
“This decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors,” Muoka added.
The NCC emphasized that the tariff adjustment aims to sustain investment in telecom infrastructure, enhance service quality, and ensure wider network coverage.
While recognizing the economic challenges faced by Nigerians, the commission urged operators to implement the new rates transparently and prioritize improved service delivery.
