The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a 50% tariff hike for telecommunications services, marking a major shift in costs for Nigerians. Here’s a closer look at how this development will affect everyday life:
Higher Costs for Calls, Data, and SMS
Calls:
The cost of making phone calls is set to rise significantly. For example, if a call previously cost N10 per minute, the new rate will be N15 per minute. MTN Pulse users, who currently pay N24.30 for the first 90 seconds of the day, will see this amount jump to N36.45. After that, the rate of N6.75 per minute will now increase to N10.13.
In practical terms, N100 airtime that allowed 14.8 minutes of talk time will now only cover 7.4 minutes—effectively halving the value.
Data:
Internet data prices are also climbing. A 1GB data bundle that used to cost N1000 will now be priced at N1500. Similarly, smaller bundles like Glo’s 50MB plan, which cost N50, will now go up to N75. Across the board, data prices are rising by approximately 50%. 10GB Data on Airtel network which goes for N3000 will now cost N4,500 (50% increase).
SMS:
The cost of sending text messages isn’t exempt from the hike. An SMS that once cost N4 will now be N6.
Current Call Rate Before 50% Hike
The Impact on Nigerians
This tariff hike comes at a challenging time, as Nigerians are already grappling with an inflation rate of 34.8% (as of December 2024) and skyrocketing living costs. With rising fuel prices, higher electricity tariffs, and now more expensive telecom services, households are feeling the financial strain.
For many Nigerians who rely on mobile services for communication, business transactions, and daily operations, the increased costs will deepen the financial burden. Businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, may find it harder to maintain their communication needs, affecting productivity and customer outreach.
While the Communications Minister, Bosun Tijani, has acknowledged the challenges this poses, he emphasizes that the tariff increase is necessary to sustain and grow the telecom sector. This sector is critical to Nigeria’s economy, contributing around 16% to the nation’s GDP.
When Will This Hike Begin?
The NCC has not specified an exact start date. Once the policy receives final approval, telecom operators will have the discretion to roll out the new rates. Customers will be notified as the changes take effect.
In Summary
Nigerians should prepare for higher costs across calls, data, and SMS in the coming weeks. The changes, while aimed at bolstering the telecom industry, will likely disrupt communication habits, especially for those heavily dependent on mobile services for staying connected and conducting business.