In order to address growing demand to raise telecom rates in Nigeria, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, is now in discussions with representatives of significant telecom companies. In addition to important government regulatory organizations like the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), attendees include representatives from MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile.

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The goal of the discussion, which started earlier today, is to strike a balance between the government’s regulatory position and the Telcos’ demand for higher prices.

The telecom providers contend that in order to maintain operations, tariff adjustments are required due to present economic realities, such as the elimination of fuel subsidies and the floating exchange rate of the naira. Before enacting hikes, the government has advised businesses to take into account the current 2013 tariff price floor.

This comes as consumer advocacy organizations like NATCOMS oppose the proposed raise, pointing out that it will be too expensive for Nigerians who are already struggling financially.

According to The Nation, more discussions are anticipated to decide the nation’s telecom pricing in the future.