The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has said that a potential tariff increase in the telecommunications sector should not exceed 60 per cent.
He emphasised the need to balance the sustainability of the sector with affordability for Nigerians.
Tijani made this known during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television on Wednesday.
When asked if he has a percentage threshold in mind, he replied, “I think it shouldn’t be more than 30 to 60 per cent.”
Highlighting the critical role of telecommunications in Nigeria’s economy, Tijani noted that the sector contributes about 14 to 16 per cent to the nation’s GDP and directly employs over 15,000 people, with an additional half a million benefitting indirectly.
He described the sector as a vital engine driving digital connectivity and economic growth.
The minister acknowledged the demands from telecom operators for a 100 per cent tariff hike, citing rising operational costs and inflation.
However, he stated firmly that such an increase would be detrimental to Nigerians.
Tijani explained that decisions on tariff adjustments must be evidence-based and guided by independent reports, such as the one recently concluded by KPMG.
He said the government’s goal is to ensure the sector continues to thrive without unduly burdening Nigerians.
The minister highlighted the significant investment required to maintain and expand telecommunications infrastructure.
He pointed to the importance of both physical and soft infrastructure, including towers, fibre optic cables, data centres and power solutions, as critical components for improving service quality.
