The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dismissed claims of an impending telecommunications tariff hike set for January 2025, labeling the reports as false and unfounded. The Commission urged subscribers to disregard the misinformation.
A senior NCC official, speaking to the media on Sunday, clarified that the regulatory body operates under a transparent framework guided by the Nigerian Communications Act. This framework mandates thorough stakeholder consultations and adherence to due process before any tariff adjustments can be approved.
“These rumors are baseless and misleading. The NCC remains committed to protecting consumers and ensuring any potential tariff changes are communicated clearly and transparently,” the official stated. “Subscribers can rest assured that no tariff increase has been approved.”
The Commission also appealed to journalists and industry stakeholders to verify information before publication, stressing the importance of accurate reporting to prevent unnecessary public alarm.
The Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) also addressed the rumors, emphasizing that there is no truth to claims of increased call, SMS, or data charges.
ATCIS National President, Mr. Sina Bilesanmi, stated in Lagos that the association sought clarification directly from the NCC on December 24, 2024.
“The NCC confirmed that 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 are false,” Bilesanmi said. “Any tariff changes, if necessary, will follow due process and involve input from all stakeholders, including ATCIS. There is no cause for alarm.”
Reiterating its dedication to consumer protection and the stability of the telecommunications industry, the NCC assured Nigerians that any updates regarding tariffs would be communicated exclusively through official channels.
Both the NCC and ATCIS emphasized the importance of relying on verified information from credible sources to avoid the spread of misinformation.
