NEWS
NCC Approves 50% Tariff Increase On Phone Calls, Data, SMS
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a 50 percent increase in tariffs for phone calls, SMS, and data services, sparking mixed reactions from stakeholders and subscribers.
This adjustment raises the minimum price of calls to N9.6 per minute from N6.40 and increases the maximum price to N50 per minute. The average cost of calls now stands at N16.5 per minute, up from N11. SMS charges have risen to N6 from N4, while the cost of 1GB of data has climbed to N431.25 from N287.5.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the NCC explained, “The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 percent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 percent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.”
Telecom operators have long advocated for tariff hikes due to rising operational costs. Since 2023, factors such as the significant devaluation of the naira and inflation, which reached 34.8 percent in December 2024, have worsened their financial challenges. According to the NCC, tariff rates have remained unchanged since 2013 despite a 300 percent spike in operating costs.
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Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, previously indicated that telecom prices would rise by 30 to 60 percent, aligning with the NCC’s decision.
The commission justified the tariff hike as a necessary step to bridge the gap between operational expenses and current rates while ensuring service delivery is not compromised. “These adjustments would support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage,” the NCC stated.
Telecom firms, including MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria, have promised to channel the increased revenue into improving network infrastructure. MTN’s CEO, Karl Toriola, said, “This balance of tariff increases, alongside investment commitments, means that not only will the telecoms industry have the confidence to invest and a clear pathway back to sustainability – but the higher prices will lead to better networks, more relevant services, and so the better customer experience that enables growth.”
Despite these assurances, consumer groups like the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) have expressed concerns. “This, undoubtedly, is against the public interest, contrary to the false narrative of NCC that described the recent adjustments as pro-public interest,” NATCOMS stated.
As subscribers brace for higher telecom costs, industry stakeholders remain hopeful that the hike will result in long-term benefits for Nigeria’s growing demand for digital services.
Students of the University of Ibadan (UI) have staged a peaceful protest to demand the immediate restoration of power at the University College Hospital (UCH), which has been without electricity for over 82 days.
The prolonged blackout has disrupted academic activities, particularly for medical students who rely on UCH for training.
The power outage, which has lasted for more than two months, is attributed to outstanding debts owed by UCH to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
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As a result, students have been unable to study effectively, and the blackout has severely impacted their academic progress.
Comrade Bolaji Aweda, President of the UI Student Union Government (SUG), addressed the media during the protest, calling the blackout “persistent” and emphasizing the negative impact it has had on both the hospital and the university.
“The blackout has lingered for over 82 days now, and for over two months, there has been no light at the University College Hospital which has affected the livelihood of our students,” Aweda said.
He further explained that the situation was the result of a “power play” between UCH and the University of Ibadan management.
“We have reached out to the school management severally. It is a kind of powerplay between the University College management and the University of Ibadan management,” Aweda stated.
The protesting students are demanding the immediate restoration of electricity to UCH and other hospitals across Nigeria that are currently experiencing similar blackouts.
Additionally, they are calling for the implementation of the 50% tariff discount announced by the Federal Ministry of Power in 2024, as well as a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s healthcare sector.
Student leader Sunday Tobilola emphasized that the peaceful protest would be followed by continued dialogue with key stakeholders to find a resolution.
“The failure to fix the power challenges will result in full action to drive home our demand,” he warned.
The protest march, which began at UCH, ended at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan.
There, the protesters were received by Sunday Odukoya, the Executive Assistant on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde. Odukoya assured the students that the state government would work with the Federal Government to address the ongoing power crisis.
The wife of a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Beatrice is back to Nigeria, after being released from prison in the United Kingdom (UK).
Biztellers reliably gathered that Beatrice landed in Abuja, Nigeria on Tuesday.
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Her return is being greeted with jubilation across Enugu State, particularly the Mpu community of Aninri Local Government Area, with the Ekweremadus country home bubbling.
Recall that Beatrice, her husband, Ike and one Dr Obinna Obeta were sentenced to various terms by a UK court over their involvement in organ harvesting.
While the former Deputy Senate President bagged a 10-year-jailterm, his wife was given a six-year sentence
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD FCTA), has commenced a three-day warning strike, citing unpaid salaries, allowances, and other unresolved demands.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, has disrupted operations across government hospitals in Abuja, including Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, and Nyanya.
Dr. George Ebong, President of ARD FCTA, announced the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
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He revealed that the industrial action followed the expiration of a three-week ultimatum issued last year.
“We gave the government a three-week ultimatum to meet our demands and dialogued with them on several occasions,” Dr. Ebong said.
“They pleaded for two weeks to address our issues, but after that elapsed, nothing has been done—not even the minimum. We expected them to pay the six months of unpaid arrears to doctors.”
Dr. Ebong criticized the neglect of healthcare workers in the nation’s capital, describing doctors as “abandoned projects.”
He appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and avert a prolonged shutdown of hospital services.
“Honestly, doctors have been abandoned projects. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister. After this three-day strike, we will do an appraisal. If nothing is done, we will go on an indefinite strike,” he warned.
The strike is the culmination of mounting frustrations among doctors over what they describe as poor welfare and neglect by the government.
ARD FCTA had previously warned in December 2024 of an impending shutdown if their demands were not met.
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