The Telecommunication companies in Nigeria are advocating for a 100 percent increase in service tariffs to address surging operational costs, according to Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Toriola highlighted inflation and naira devaluation as the primary challenges necessitating the hike.
“We at MTN believe we need tariff adjustment of about 100 percent. The industry is pretty much aligned because we are all experiencing the same headwinds,” he said.
Toriola noted that while the government is sensitive to consumer pressures from inflation, a substantial tariff increase-implemented progressively over the year-could be a feasible compromise.
Telecom tariffs in Nigeria have remained unchanged for 11 years, despite sectors like aviation and power adjusting rates to cope with rising costs. Toriola said global data shows Nigeria’s telecom tariffs rank among the lowest worldwide for data and voice services.
The CEO stressed that the proposed hike would not only ensure the sustainability of the industry but also improve service quality by enabling investments in infrastructure and resilience.
“It allows us to invest in stable and high-quality networks,” he explained, adding that such measures would meet regulatory demands for improved service delivery.
Describing 2024 as a “torrid year” for the sector, Toriola praised policymakers’ efforts to secure the industry’s sustainability. He assured Nigerians that MTN and other providers would maintain network operations even if the tariff adjustment is delayed.
