Soon, Nigerians might have to pay more to make calls, send texts, and use the internet. The companies that provide these services say their costs have gone up and want to increase prices.
What Could Change?
Here’s how the new prices might look:
Phone Calls: The current cost is N11 per minute, but this could rise to N17.6 per minute if a 60% increase is approved.
SMS (Text Messages): Sending a text might go up from N4 to N6.4.
Internet Data: The price of 1GB of data could increase from N350 to N560.
Why Are Prices Going Up?
Telecom companies, including MTN and Airtel, say their operating costs have increased because of inflation, naira devaluation, and economic challenges. They initially asked for a 100% price increase, but the government rejected this.
During a recent interview on national TV, the Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, explained the government’s stance. He said:
“It should not be more than anywhere between 30 percent to 60 percent.”
The minister stressed that allowing a 100% increase would harm Nigerians who depend on phones and the internet for daily life. He added:
“This sector is responsible for driving growth in our country; it will be harmful to our people to allow the MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) to increase by 100 percent.”
Balancing the Situation
Tijani said the government is working to find a balance between protecting Nigerians and helping telecom companies stay in business. He emphasized that proper regulations are needed to support the sector’s growth without overburdening citizens.
Public Reaction
Many Nigerians are unhappy about the proposed increase. The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) described the plan as “insensitive” and promised to take legal action if the changes go ahead without exploring better options.
What’s Next?
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which oversees telecom rules, is still meeting with stakeholders to finalize the decision. Dr. Aminu Maida, the NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, said the new prices will be announced in one or two weeks.
For now, Nigerians are waiting to see how the government will handle the situation and hoping the changes won’t make life harder for them.
