The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has assured Nigerians that any increase in telecommunications service tariffs will not exceed 60 percent. This comes amid recent calls by telecom operators for a 100 percent tariff hike.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Tijani stated that the anticipated increase would range between 30 percent and 60 percent. He emphasized that approving a 100 percent hike would harm Nigerians and hinder economic growth.
“I think they should only increase by not more than anywhere between 30 to 60 percent,” Tijani said. He also revealed that his team is working on recommendations informed by KPMG reports, which will soon be finalized and made public.
The minister highlighted several ongoing government initiatives aimed at reducing the financial burden on telecom operators while improving services for Nigerians.
“We are asking difficult questions, like can we possibly increase the local content in that sector—meaning can we reduce the amount of imports coming into the sector, which require foreign exchange and are more expensive?” he explained.
Tijani also noted that the government has designated telecom infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, a move that protects it against vandalism and reduces repair costs for operators.
Further, he mentioned reforms aimed at harmonizing and reducing taxes in the sector, making it more conducive for telecom companies to thrive. Additionally, he highlighted government investments in expanding infrastructure, such as laying 90,000 kilometers of fiber optics and building towers in rural areas to extend telecom services to underserved regions.
“These investments will allow telecom companies to increase their customer base without incurring heavy costs,” Tijani added.
The minister reassured Nigerians that the government remains committed to balancing the interests of operators and consumers to foster growth and connectivity in the country.