*Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, highlights core reasons the Federal Government considered before recent approval of 50 percent telecoms tariff hikes for the Mobile Network Operators in Nigeria

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Sequel to the recent approval of 50 percent telecoms tariff increments, the Federal Government again, has defended the move, noting that failure to do so could lead to job losses and the collapse of some companies in the country’s telecoms ecosystem.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, revealed this Friday, February 28, 2025, while speaking with reporters shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s meeting with Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Group, in the State House, Abuja, FCT.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), January 20 this year had announced the upward cost adjustments for the telecoms companies.

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission also tasked the Telcos to first ensure that they improve their Quality of Service (QoS) to enhance consumer experience in the ecosystem.

Justifying the government’s reasons for the timely decision to approve 50 percent cost adjustments for the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) Friday, in Abuja, Dr. Tijani declared: 鈥淚f we choose not to allow the increase in tariffs, we would be at the risk of losing jobs, as some of these companies could pack up, and when you weigh that, it鈥檚 also not the best thing for the economy.鈥�

Telecoms employs nearly 500,000 Nigerians

Minister Tijani explained that the Nigerian Government had carefully considered the decision in respect of the critical role the telecoms sector plays in the Nigerian economy.

He also noted the telecoms sector, including its entire value chain, has employed nearly 500,000 Nigerians, making it a significant contributor to national development.

He further observed that the request for the latest tariff increases had been pending before the current administration took office.

Tijani disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, however, insisted on a thorough evaluation the industry before approving any cost adjustments for the Telcos.

The Minister further said: “This is a government that is extremely conscious of the state of the economy, and Mr. President consistently takes into consideration each and every citizen before making decisions.

“Some of these decisions are difficult, but we have to balance the interests of individuals and businesses alike.”

Earlier in his remarks during Tinubu’s meeting with the Airtel delegation, in the State House, Dr. Tijani had applauded the Nigerian President for consistently supporting the growth of the telecoms sector.

According to the Minister, President Tinubu’s recent approval for the protection of fibre optic and undersea cables as part of the country’s critical national assets would further stimulate growth in the industry of the economy.

He equally assuring Tinubu, Airtel Group, and other industry stakeholders that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has started to implement and enforce the law.

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