Index to Nigerian Newspapers

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.