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MTN Nigeria, Glo, and Airtel have increased their end-user tariff in line with the 50% tariff adjustment approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This change raises the price of voice calls on MTN’s pulse bundle to N13.80 per minute or 23 kobo per second, up from N7.80 per minute or 13 kobo per second, representing a 76.92% increase.

Prior to this adjustment, the call tariff rate was N11 per minute, while short message service (SMS) cost N4 per text message. According to Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), “the MNOs cannot charge the same rate across the network…the MNOs will operate within the highest and lowest band allowed by the NCC.”

Random calls on the network showed varying costs: a 62-second call from Airtel to Airtel cost N15.50, averaging N15 per minute, a 36% increase. Another call from Glo to Airtel lasting 56 seconds cost N14.56, while a call lasting one minute and one second cost N15.86. A call from Glo to an MTN number lasting one minute and four seconds cost N16.64. On average, the operators have added N4.60 to the previous N11 per minute call rate, representing a 42% adjustment.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, insisting that the companies revert to the previous tariff until a committee set up by the Federal Government completes its work. The NLC has directed workers and citizens to boycott the services of MTN, Airtel, and Glo daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.

Sina Bilesanmi, President of the Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), criticised the implementation strategy, saying the telcos should have informed customers about the tariff adjustment via SMS. Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, President of the National Association of Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMS), expressed shock at the brazen implementation of the tariff adjustment and urged the NCC to sanction the telcos.

Karl Toriola, MTN Nigeria CEO, had previously stated that the industry was “in an ICU, gasping for breath” and requested a 100% tariff adjustment. Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, noted that the adjustment would benefit operators but put additional strain on consumers’ pockets, possibly resulting in reduced usage. 

He emphasised the importance of investment in the sector, stating, “Investment in developing internet infrastructure and broadband connectivity will increase data consumption by businesses and individuals; expanding rural broadband will promote inclusive access, empowering underserved communities with education, health, and economic opportunities.”

Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of ALTON, said the approval is meant to support telcos’ ability to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation. He noted, “The recovery process for the industry has started after over two decades of stagnated telecom tariff regime.”

Adebayo further stated, “We have been charging prices that do not recover our investment, let alone assure profit.” He emphasised that the MNOs cannot charge the same rate across the network, saying, “The MNOs will operate within the highest and lowest band allowed by the NCC.”

The NCC’s approval of the 50% tariff adjustment has generated widespread reactions from various stakeholders. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has directed workers and citizens to boycott the services of MTN, Airtel, and Glo daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, stated, “CWC demands an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect today, and insists that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.”

Ajaero further directed, “All workers and citizens are urged to suspend the purchase of data from these companies, which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.”

Sina Bilesanmi, President of ATCIS, criticised the implementation strategy, saying, “The telcos should have, via an SMS, informed their customers about the tariff adjustment.” He argued that the MNOs ought to have presented the new adjustment in a transparent manner, stating, “A situation in which the MNOs resort to their social media handles to announce major decisions that will impact the lives of the customers is not good enough.”

Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, President of NATCOMS, expressed shock at the brazen implementation of the tariff adjustment, saying, “The NLC, NCC, and other interested parties had met and agreed that the MNOs tarry till February end to settle disputes as to the percentage increment approved.”

Ogunbanjo urged the NCC to show courage by sanctioning the telcos that have started implementing the new tariff, stating, “The NCC should sanction the telcos for their brazen implementation of the tariff hike.”

The development has sparked concerns among consumers, who fear that the increased tariffs will further strain their finances. As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the committee’s deliberations and the NCC’s response to the concerns raised by various groups.

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