Minister of Communications: Nigerians to Pay 30-60% More for Calls, Data, and Telecom Services
Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has announced that Nigerians can expect a 30-60% increase in the cost of calls, data, and other telecommunications services.
In a recent interview with Channels Television, Tijani explained that the rise in prices is necessary for continued investment in the telecom sector, which is key to driving Nigeria’s economic growth. He emphasized that telecom companies are constantly investing in equipment to keep up with technological advancements, despite the challenges posed by inflation.
“Telecom tariff hikes should be in the range of 30 to 60 percent,” he said. “This sector thrives on continuous infrastructure investment. As technologies evolve, older systems like 3G will be phased out in favor of newer, more advanced technologies, and this requires constant investment. With inflation on the rise, it’s crucial to maintain foreign investments, which reached nearly $199 million in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing the entire telecom inflow for 2023. For Nigeria to achieve a $1 trillion economy, mobile network operators cannot afford to delay their investments.”
This announcement follows Tijani’s earlier confirmation that Nigeria’s telecom tariffs will increase, though not by as much as 100%.
