From John Silas and Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that the recent regulatory reforms and tariff increases in the telecom industry have increased capital inflows into the country, with operators projected to invest over $1 billion in network expansion and upgrades before the end of 2025.
The executive Vice Chairman of the Commission Aminu Maida made the revelation while interacting with journalists in Lagos on Friday, August 15, 2025, adding that the tariff increase was implemented between January and February 2025.
According to Maida, the hike has restored investor confidence and reversed years of underinvestment that had slowed network expansion and service quality. He said the policy shift allowed mobile network operators to adjust tariffs by up to 50% after nearly a decade of push for price increases.
Maida also said, investments are expected to address capacity challenges, improve service quality, and ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the global telecom landscape.
He also decried the imbalance in the value chain, where tower companies can adjust prices annually for inflation and exchange rates, but mobile network operators cannot, which had discouraged new investment.
He said that the industry faces operational cost pressures, including consuming over 40 million liters of diesel monthly to power base stations, with most of it imported.
He further stated that NCC is working closely with operators to monitor progress, holding weekly calls to track sites, upgrades, and intervening when necessary, adding that the commission is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser to develop region-specific protection strategies for telecom infrastructure.
On the NCC boss’s entourage were the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Haraya Makama, Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department, Director, Zonal Operations Department, Mrs Helen Obi, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs. Freda Bruce-Bennett, Head, Department of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha among other top echelons of the commission.
