By Abiola Olawale
Nigerian telecommunications companies have proposed a whopping 100% increase in tariffs.
The request is currently awaiting approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, who spoke with the press, the proposal comes in response to the rising operational costs faced by telecom operators.
Toriola also explained that the necessity of the proposed hike borders on the sustainability of the industry while acknowledging the sensitivity of such a move given the current economic climate in Nigeria.
According to him, the last tariff adjustment was over a decade ago, and operators have been calling for a review due to escalating operational costs, including inflation and the devaluation of the naira.
However, he noted that there is scepticism about whether the NCC will approve the full 100% increase.
He stated: “We’ve put forward requests of approximately 100 per cent tariff increases to regulators. I doubt they’re going to approve that quantum of increases because they are very, very sensitive to the current economic situation in the country.
“I believe we’re all on the same side, the policymakers, the regulators, our Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, and the industry. We’re united because we share concerns about a few fundamental issues. First, human rights, are critical to driving any economy. Without a sustainable industry, the broader economy and the well-being of the people will be negatively impacted.”
