Mobile phone users across Nigeria may soon pay more for calls and SMS as the country’s telecom regulator considers a review of interconnection rates that could lead to higher tariffs nationwide.
The Nigerian Communications Commission has reportedly begun assessing current interconnect charges — the fees telecom operators pay each other to complete calls across different networks — a move industry watchers say could directly influence retail prices for consumers.
If approved, telecom operators are expected to adjust their pricing structures, potentially leading to an increase in the cost of voice calls and text messages across major networks in Africa’s largest mobile market.
Telecommunications companies have long argued that rising operational costs, including inflation, energy expenses, and infrastructure maintenance, make a tariff review necessary to sustain service quality and continued investment.
However, consumer rights advocates have raised concerns that any upward adjustment could further strain households already grappling with economic pressure and rising living costs.
Nigeria’s telecom sector remains one of the most active in Africa, with hundreds of millions of mobile subscriptions driving communication, business transactions, and digital services nationwide.
The regulator is yet to announce a final decision, but stakeholders say consultations are ongoing and a formal outcome is expected after the review process is completed.
