The Business NG - October 10, 2025

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Telecom Tariffs Without Value
Editorial Focus for BusinessNG



Nigerians were told that higher tariffs would translate into better service. Yet, months after telecom operators secured approval for a 50 percent tariff hike, subscribers are still grappling with dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and failed data connections. The promise of improved quality of service, which the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) made a condition for the price adjustment, has simply not been kept.

Across the country, frustration is mounting. Many subscribers complain of vanishing data, failed bank transfers, and poor connectivity — a daily struggle in an economy increasingly dependent on digital transactions. Operators claim that recurring fibre-optic cable cuts and vandalism are responsible for the disruptions, but such explanations no longer suffice when consumers are paying more for less.

The NCC must assert its regulatory authority. Tariff increases without measurable service improvement erode public trust and question the Commission’s oversight role. It is time for the regulator to conduct a transparent audit of operators’ network investments and enforce strict performance benchmarks.

Nigerians deserve value for their money. If telecom companies cannot deliver the quality they promised, the NCC must compel them to do so — or roll back the hike. Anything less would be a betrayal of consumer confidence and regulatory integrity.