The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has defended the recent hike in mobile tariffs, describing the move as a necessary measure to improve service quality and ensure the financial health of telecom operators.
Speaking in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Wada Maida—represented by Acting Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha—said the adjustments were long overdue, especially given the economic pressures telecom firms have faced in recent years.
“Operators have been dealing with massive losses despite increasing revenue. This has affected their ability to invest in infrastructure and deliver quality service,” he said.
Dr. Maida noted that the tariff revision is already helping some operators return to profitability, allowing them to channel funds back into improving their networks. He added that the Commission expects a significant increase in telecom investment next year, surpassing levels seen in the last two years.
The NCC boss also clarified that tariff approvals are not done arbitrarily. He explained that the process is guided by data and thorough cost analysis submitted by the operators.
“We assess real-world operating costs before approving any price changes. Our job is to strike a balance between business sustainability and consumer protection,” he said.
While ordinary consumers don’t take part in these highly technical deliberations, Dr. Maida assured that the NCC remains focused on safeguarding public interest by rigorously scrutinising all operator proposals.Beyond pricing issues, he also highlighted other obstacles hurting the telecom industry—frequent fibre cuts, energy costs, vandalism, and the difficulties operators face in accessing public land to lay network infrastructure.
To tackle these challenges, the NCC is working with various agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to secure telecom infrastructure and bring vandals to book.
“We’re taking a firm stance on infrastructure sabotage,” Maida said. “We’re also in talks with the Attorney General’s office to ensure offenders face full prosecution.”He reminded the public that telecom infrastructure is considered Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) under Nigeria’s security framework, and any deliberate damage would be treated as a serious offence.
Dr. Maida also assured the public that the Commission would remain transparent and proactive in communicating updates on pricing, service standards, and consumer protection.“The responsibility to monitor pricing and ensure fairness lies with the NCC—not the consumer,” he said.
“We will continue to publish credible, accessible data to keep the public informed.”
He called on the media and general public to support the Commission’s efforts to improve digital access, stabilise the sector, and ensure better user experiences nationwide.
