FG Holds Talks with MTN, Airtel, and Other Telcos as They Lobby for Tariff Hikes

The Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, is currently in talks with representatives of major telecommunications companies to address mounting pressures to increase telecom tariffs in Nigeria.

Attendees include representatives from MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom, 9Mobile, and key government regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The meeting, which began earlier today, aims to find a balance between the Telcos’ push for higher tariffs and the government’s regulatory stance.

The telecom companies argue that current economic realities—like the removal of fuel subsidies and the naira’s floating exchange rate—necessitate tariff adjustments to sustain operations.

However, the government has urged the companies to consider the existing 2013 tariff price floor before implementing increases.

This development comes as consumer advocacy groups, such as NATCOMS, reject the proposed hike, citing affordability challenges for Nigerians already burdened by economic hardships.

The Nation reports that further deliberations are expected to determine the future of telecom pricing in the country.