Nigerian subscribers have heavily opposed the proposed 30-60% hike in data and call tariffs.

This proposal was made by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani.

Speaking under the aegis of the Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria), the subscribers expressed that the minister's move to propose a rate for the hike is in sharp contrast with the earlier agreements reached at the meeting held at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) headquarters in Abuja on January 9, 2025.

According to the group, it is the minister is not responsible for determining tariff prices, but rather the NCC.

The National President of ATCIS, Sina Bilesanmi, stated that the Abuja meeting did not discuss or reach an agreement on the proposed tariff hike; hence, there were no grounds for the minister to make such a pronouncement.

He said: “As the telecom subscriber advocacy body, we should have a say in collaboration with NCC because we’re the ones paying the money involved.

"We agreed at the meeting that there would be no hike, but further deliberations and consultations are ongoing with relevant stakeholders, especially the MNOs and subscribers.

"The MNOs, through their representatives—ATCON and ALTON—were supposed to organize an enlightenment and sensitization programme to address the issues.”

Bilesanmi lamented that any hike in call and data tariffs would be detrimental to the well-being of small business owners and individual subscribers, who depend on these to conduct their businesses and make a living.

He further pointed out that the drive to increase tariffs could hinder the government's efforts to advance its digital economy goals.