By John Ikani
Leading telecommunications companies in Nigeria including MTN, Airtel, and Globacom are advocating for tariffs that accurately reflect current economic realities.
They made the move in a joint statement by the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on Thursday.
Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON’s Chairman, and ATCON’s President Tony Emoekpere co-signed the statement.
The telcos stressed that the development of telecommunications infrastructure requires significant investments in network expansion, maintenance, and technology upgrades.
“Despite economic challenges, the telecom sector hasn’t adjusted its service pricing for over a decade due to regulatory restrictions,” they pointed out.
They raised concerns about the gap between current pricing controls and economic realities, warning of potential threats to the industry’s sustainability and investor confidence.
ATCON and ALTON urged the government to engage in constructive discussions with industry players to address pricing issues and establish a framework that balances consumer affordability and operator financial viability.
The telcos also stressed the importance of regulatory neutrality and independence within the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure a thriving telecommunications sector.
“Lack of an impartial regulator could undermine public confidence in regulatory decisions,” they emphasized, citing statutory provisions supporting this assertion.
What are the current economic realities in Nigeria?
Nigeria is currently facing an economic crisis marked by inflation, record-low currency value, and deepening cost-of-living challenges.
Factors contributing to the crisis include record debt, high unemployment, low oil output, and draining government subsidies.
The IMF has reported stalled per-capita growth with poverty, and high food insecurity exacerbating the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Key solutions proferred for reviving the nation’s economy are support for small-scale businesses, human capacity development, and focus on exportation of goods.
