• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Telecom Tariff Hike?

by Leadership News
6 months ago
in Editorial
telecom
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Understandably, many of Nigeria’s over 300 million telephone subscribers, including the 163 million active internet users, are worried about an impending tariff hike. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) had warned of a looming service disruption unless the tariff was raised.

Advertisement

ALTON, which is seeking a 100% increase, insisted that the tariff hike was necessary to reflect economic realities, stressing that the telecom sector’s survival demands immediate and bold reform.
Operators noted that energy costs, inflation, and naira devaluation have contributed to an astronomical rise in operating costs. The network operators claimed that a tariff hike was the only viable solution to their ever-increasing operating costs and necessary to address the challenge of sustainability.

Like most Nigerians, this newspaper believes that the planned hike, which could easily pass as a sour New Year gift to Nigerians who are already bearing the brunt of the harsh economic reality that defined 2024, is coming at the wrong time.

The latest moves to hike tariffs, which some industry watchers claim would be by 40%, will see an increase in voice calls from N11.00 to N15.40 per minute, short message services jump from N4.00 to N5.60, and the One GB data bundle move from N1,000 to N1,400. Aren’t we gradually approaching a stage where

Senator David Mark would be justified in saying that the telephone is not for the poor?
There is no contesting the fact that the Nigerian economy is in a messy state. High inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and other extraneous factors fueled largely by the government’s economic policies have contributed to making the operating environment very harsh for businesses.

RELATED

REA Expands NEP With AfDB $250m Facility

Quickening Energy Access

2 hours ago
2023 Not A Good Year For MSMEs, Says NASME

World MSME Day: Reviving Nigeria’s Growth Engine

1 day ago

It is true that, like businesses, Nigerians are also bearing the brunt of the harsh economic environment, including the skyrocketing rise in food prices, transportation costs, and rent, among other essentials, which have been on an upward trajectory.

Under this very unfavourable environment, tariff hikes, whether for power (due to the incurable energy deficit) or telecom services, will compound the woes of most Nigerians.
Telecom service has become an integral part of our national life, and key sectors like security, commerce, healthcare, and education rely heavily on telecom infrastructure.

Efforts must be made to ensure there are no disruptions so businesses won’t suffer from a lack of connectivity that will stall economic activities.

In the face of the current insecurity, Nigeria cannot afford telecom service disruption. The government must do all it takes to forestall a situation where millions of citizens will be disconnected, as that will have significant economic fallout.

The telecom operators need to be told in unmistakable terms that a hike at a time like this, when citizens are in dire straits due to the current harsh economic situation, would be a double whammy.

Assuming, without conceding, that Nigerians won’t be further weighed down by a tariff hike at a time like this, there are procedures for such a review, including a cost study, consultation, enlightenment, and engagement of stakeholders. Have these requirements been met?

As a newspaper, we believe that tariffs must reflect the economic realities of delivering telecom services at a minimum for industry sustainability. Nothing can change this fact. But that should not be done at the expense of the hapless subscribers.

Operators must strive to strike a balance between protecting margins, recovering investment, and possibly making a profit while retaining subscribers. If the tariffs are high and beyond the reach of most subscribers, they will naturally drop their connections, at which point Senator David Mark would be vindicated.

Amidst the planned hike, the government needs to intervene by providing critical infrastructure to help the operators cut costs. On their part, the telecom service providers must explore other avenues to generate funds to meet their rising operational costs without overburdening the already burdened subscribers.

Needless to say, this moment demands balance. The telecom industry needs reforms to remain viable, but the burden cannot fall entirely on subscribers. Tariffs should reflect economic realities, yes—but they must also respect the precarious realities of Nigerian households. Anything less risks deepening the divide between those who can afford to stay connected and those left behind in digital isolation.

In a time of profound economic hardship, the call is not for business as usual. It is for leadership—pragmatic, empathetic, and forward-thinking. Anything less is a disservice to a nation that relies on its telecom networks not just for communication, but for survival.


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

BREAKING NEWS: Nigerians can now earn US Dollars from the comfort of their homes with Ultra-Premium domains, acquire them for as low as $1700 and profit as much as $25,000. Click here to learn how you can earn US Dollars consistently.


Tags: ALTONTelecom OperatorsTelecoms
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Gov Fintiri Presents Letter Of Credence To Hoba

Next Post

Insecurity: PPPN Tasks Tinubu, Mutfwang On Drone Use, Others

Leadership News

Leadership News

You May Like

REA Expands NEP With AfDB $250m Facility
Editorial

Quickening Energy Access

2025/06/28
2023 Not A Good Year For MSMEs, Says NASME
Editorial

World MSME Day: Reviving Nigeria’s Growth Engine

2025/06/27
West Africa IMT Summit To Explore Opportunities In Global Trade War
Editorial

The Plight Of Industrial Centres

2025/06/26
National Assembly, Two Years After
Editorial

National Assembly, Two Years After

2025/06/25
‘Everyone Is Scared’, Iranians Head To Armenia To Escape Conflict With Israel
Editorial

As The Middle East Boils Again

2025/06/24
Sugarcane Value chain Will End Sugar Import, Create Jobs For 500, 000 Nigerians – Governor Sule
Editorial

Concerns About Teacher Qualification

2025/06/23
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Oyo Govt Defends N63.4bn Expenditure On State House Reconstruction

34,000 Livestock Farmers Empowered Through Ondo, World Bank Partnership

Community Lauds NYSC Healthcare Initiative In Osun

Community Lauds NYSC Healthcare Initiative In Osun

Bash Alli Sues Ex-Sports Minister Over Alleged Defamation

Okwara Urges Good Leadership In Nation Rebuilding Efforts

Corrupt Practices, Greediness Crippling Nigeria’s Economy – Bishop

Families Of Slain Lagos Street Sweepers Get Financial Support

Senate To Meet African Envoys On Colonial Injustices

UI Career Centre Laments Students’ Mental Health Crisis

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.