The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially denied rumors claiming that telecommunications tariffs in Nigeria will rise starting January 2025. The Commission called these reports false and urged the public to disregard the misinformation.
Addressing the concerns, a senior NCC official emphasized that the regulatory body operates transparently under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA). According to the official, any changes to telecom tariffs would require thorough stakeholder consultations and adherence to due process.
“These rumors are baseless and misleading,” the official explained, adding that the NCC is committed to protecting consumers and ensuring transparency in all its actions.
The Commission also cautioned journalists and industry players to verify their information before publishing, stressing that false reports could create unnecessary fear among the public. The NCC assured subscribers that any updates about tariff changes would be shared only through its official channels.
In support of the NCC’s position, the Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) also refuted the claims. ATCIS National President, Mr. Sina Bilesanmi, stated that the association directly sought clarification from the NCC on December 24, 2024.
According to Bilesanmi, the NCC confirmed that there were no plans to increase call rates, SMS charges, or data costs as speculated.
“The NCC confirmed there is no truth to claims of call charges increasing to N15.40 per minute from N11, SMS charges rising to N5.60, or 1GB of data costing N1,400 instead of N1,000,” Bilesanmi said.
“Any changes in tariffs, if necessary, will follow due process and involve input from all stakeholders, including ATCIS. There is no cause for alarm.”
