NCC Defends Telecom Tariff Hike, Vows Improved Service Quality, Infrastructure Protection

Advertisements

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stated that the recent tariff adjustments for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are necessary to enhance service quality and ensure the long-term viability of the telecom sector.

NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Wada Maida, spoke during an engagement with the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) in Abuja.

Represented by the Acting Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, Maida explained that the revised tariffs aim to restore profitability to operators grappling with foreign exchange volatility.

He projected that sector investments would begin yielding visible improvements by 2025.

According to him, operators must submit detailed cost analyses to justify pricing, ensuring charges remain fair and economically viable.

And to safeguard the consumers, he said while tariff approvals are technically driven, the NCC acts as a consumer watchdog by rigorously scrutinizing operator proposals.

Maida assured that reinvestment in infrastructure would translate to better network performance, urging operators to transparently report service metrics like fiber cuts and access denials.

The EVC identified fiber cuts, identity verification bottlenecks, infrastructure vandalism, energy costs, and Right-of-Way (RoW) issues as critical constraints.

According to him, the Commission is collaborating with security agencies, including the NSCDC, to protect telecom assets and prosecute vandals under the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) framework.

“Telecom infrastructure is vital to national security and economic stability. We will enforce strict penalties against anyone disrupting these facilities,” Maida warned.

The NCC reiterated its role in monitoring operator compliance and pledged to keep stakeholders informed through accurate data on tariffs and service standards.

Also, NITRA President Blessing Olaifa commended the NCC for the dialogue, assuring balanced media coverage to support sector growth. The session reinforced the NCC’s collaborative approach to addressing industry challenges while prioritizing consumer interests.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts