Telecom operators in Nigeria are considering a shift from the uniform national tariff to a state-based pricing system, meaning call and data costs could vary depending on local business conditions.
At the 7th Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) in Lagos, telecom providers argued that states with higher operational challenges, such as multiple taxes and infrastructure restrictions, should bear higher tariffs, while those with business-friendly policies could enjoy lower rates.
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), explained that where running costs are excessive and negotiations fail, it makes sense to reflect the additional expenses in service prices.
Tony Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), supported the move, stressing that the current uniform pricing system does not account for location-specific cost differences.
He cited cases where telecom firms incur extra expenses transporting diesel across the country to maintain network operations. These costs, he argued, should either be factored into service charges or eased by government policies.
Meanwhile, PIAFo convener, Omobayo Azeez, emphasized the importance of protecting Nigeria’s digital economy, lauding President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order as a crucial step toward securing the sector.
For now, the regional tariff model remains a proposal, requiring approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) before implementation. This comes after the NCC recently approved a 50% tariff increase due to rising operational costs.
