Telecommunication subscribers in Nigeria, represented by the Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria), have vehemently rejected the 30-60% tariff increase recently proposed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. The association has raised serious concerns about the proposal, which they claim could have dire consequences for Nigerians already grappling with the impact of rising living costs.
In a statement released over the weekend, Sina Bilesanmi, the national president of ATCIS-Nigeria, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the minister’s remarks, particularly his stance on the tariff increase, which he described as ill-advised and unfair to the millions of Nigerians dependent on mobile and internet services.
“This tariff hike is unacceptable,” Bilesanmi asserted. “We, the subscribers, have not been consulted on this matter. The minister cannot speak for us, and we are making it clear that there should be no increase in telecom tariffs for now.”
The proposal from Minister Tijani, made in a recent TV interview, suggests a 30 to 60 percent increase in telecom tariffs, following a request from mobile network operators (MNOs) who have been pushing for a much higher 100 percent increase. Tijani, while acknowledging that such a steep rise could harm the populace, argued that the telecom sector, critical for Nigeria’s economic growth, cannot continue to operate at a loss.
Despite these concerns, ATCIS-Nigeria insists that the proposed hike contradicts previous agreements between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and various stakeholders. In a meeting held on January 9, 2025, in Abuja, it was agreed that no tariff hikes would be implemented until all relevant stakeholders, particularly telecom subscribers, were properly educated and consulted on the matter.
“The minister’s statements are a direct contradiction to what was agreed upon in Abuja,” Bilesanmi emphasized. “There was no mention of a tariff increase during that meeting. In fact, it was decided that further consultation was necessary before any discussions on price changes could take place.”
The minister had noted that while the MNOs were demanding a full 100 percent tariff hike to stabilize the sector, the government was focused on finding a middle ground. Tijani acknowledged that such an increase would have been too harsh on the average Nigerian but insisted that a more moderate rise of between 30 and 60 percent would be manageable.
However, Bilesanmi and ATCIS-Nigeria argue that it is not the responsibility of the government or the minister to unilaterally dictate tariff prices in a liberalized market. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as the industry regulator, is charged with ensuring that any changes to telecom pricing are based on empirical data and are done in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
“Our stance is clear,” Bilesanmi declared. “The NCC must engage with us, the subscribers, before making any decisions. It is not the minister’s place to dictate prices in an open market. If there is to be any price change, it should come after proper consultation with all parties, including the consumer body, telecom operators, and the government.”
The January 9 meeting in Abuja had been convened to address concerns from all parties, with a particular focus on ensuring that subscribers’ rights and interests were taken into account. The outcome was a resolution that any tariff increases should be postponed until comprehensive consultations, including public enlightenment programs, were conducted.
As part of the agreed-upon process, the MNOs, represented by industry associations like the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), were expected to organize sensitization campaigns to educate subscribers on the rationale behind any proposed changes. Following these programs, further discussions would be held to reach a consensus on the appropriate tariff rates before submitting a proposal to the NCC for approval.
ATCIS-Nigeria also voiced concerns about the broader impact of such a tariff hike, especially on small business owners who rely heavily on affordable telecom services. Bilesanmi pointed out that many small businesses in Nigeria operate almost exclusively via mobile phones and laptops, making any increase in voice and data prices particularly damaging.
“A tariff hike at this time would be disastrous,” Bilesanmi warned. “Many of our members, particularly small business owners, rely on affordable telecom services to run their operations. Increasing the cost of communication would severely affect their businesses and potentially drive them into bankruptcy.”
Furthermore, the ATCIS president expressed concern that the proposed price hikes could undermine the government’s broader goals for the digital economy. According to Bilesanmi, the push for increased tariffs would make it harder for ordinary Nigerians to access essential telecom services, thus hindering the growth of the digital economy, which has been touted as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic development.
“While the government speaks about building a digital economy, the proposed tariff increase will work against that vision,” Bilesanmi said. “Instead of fostering growth, it will stifle innovation and make it harder for Nigerians to participate in the digital economy.”
ATCIS-Nigeria, with a membership base of over 220 million people across all 36 states, remains the largest and most influential telecom consumer advocacy group in the country. The organization has consistently fought for fair and transparent practices within the telecom sector, working to ensure that subscribers’ rights are respected and that the quality of telecom services remains high.
In conclusion, ATCIS-Nigeria has called on the government and the telecom operators to adhere to the agreed-upon consultation process and to refrain from implementing any tariff hikes until there is a clear and mutually agreed-upon solution. The association has also urged the NCC to take a more active role in facilitating dialogue between telecom operators and subscribers, ensuring that the interests of consumers are not overlooked.
“We are committed to working with the NCC and all other stakeholders to ensure that telecom services remain affordable and accessible to all Nigerians,” Bilesanmi concluded. “But we will not stand by while the government and telecom operators impose unfair price hikes on our members.”
