“Telecom Operators Threaten Tariff Increase, Cite Operating Costs and Taxes Under Tinubu’s Administration”

In a recent stakeholders’ meeting, major telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, expressed concerns about the possibility of increasing tariffs. The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, highlighted the need for a price review to align with the rising operating costs faced by the operators. Adebayo also pointed out the burden of 52 taxes imposed on operators nationwide during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Adebayo emphasized the urgency of addressing the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debts owed to telecom operators by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), amounting to N200 billion. He stated that these debts must be settled, and the association is willing to block debtor banks from accessing their services.

In response, the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, assured Adebayo of support from stakeholders in the sector. Maida stressed the importance of setting timelines for resolving the discussed issues. He also pledged commitment to the growth of the sector, aligning actions with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Agenda and policy guidelines outlined by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

Recognizing the critical role of the telecom sector in the economy, Maida urged operators to implement measures that would ensure sustainable growth in the industry.