Telecom operators in Nigeria, including Globacom, 9mobile, MTN and Airtel, have suggested that the current tariff regime is no longer sustainable. They believe that prices may have to be increased to keep up with rising operating costs. The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, made this statement during a meeting with the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida. He also mentioned that the operators are burdened by 52 taxes across the country.
Mr. Adebayo said, “Our current pricing regime is no longer sustainable. That is the fact, with the way things are going, I am not sure we can sustain this sector with the current pricing regime.”
The President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr Anthony Emoekpere, also highlighted the need to improve telecom infrastructure in the country to improve the quality of service. During the meeting, Dr. Maida assured the stakeholders of his support and commitment to the growth of the sector, stating that his actions would be guided by the Renewed Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and policy guidelines from the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. As the government sees the telecom sector as critical to the economy, Dr. Maida urged operators to improve the quality of their services and boost job creation in the country.