Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Balsingh has stated that a three hundred percent surge in operational costs over the past eighteen to twenty-four months has made a proposed one hundred percent tariff increase necessary for the long-term survival and sustainability of the telecommunications sector. Noting that consumer tariffs have remained unchanged for over a decade despite rising expenses driven by tough economic conditions, the executive explained that the proposed pricing adjustments submitted to the Nigerian Communications Commission are crucial for funding ongoing network infrastructure upgrades, expanding coverage, and meeting the growing demand for digital connectivity across education, banking, and healthcare. Furthermore, Balsingh emphasized that while these changes will help introduce cutting-edge technologies and enhance service quality to support Nigeria's digital economy vision, the adjustments will be implemented gradually with affordability in mind to minimize the financial impact on subscribers.

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers has urged telecommunications operators to seek funding through the capital market by offering public shares instead of implementing a proposed tariff increase of up to one hundred percent, which would place a severe financial burden on low-income consumers. Pointing to the successful stock market listing of Mobile Telephone Network Nigeria as a proven model, the association's president, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, suggested that other major operators like Globacom and Airtel follow suit to raise funds for infrastructure upgrades and technology investments without driving up service costs. While industry leaders and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria have highlighted critical challenges—including skyrocketing diesel prices, currency devaluation from about four hundred and fifty naira to over one thousand five hundred and fifty naira per dollar, and overall operational sustainability—the subscriber association strongly criticized the Nigerian Communications Commission for considering tariff hikes that could ultimately price out a large majority of users amidst ongoing economic hardships.