Nigerian telecommunications companies are pushing their regulator to consider a 100% increase in price tariffs due to the tough economic climate and inflation rates approaching a 30-year high.

“We’ve put forward requests for almost a 100% increase” to the regulator, remarked Karl Toriola, the CEO of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, in an interview with Arise TV based in Lagos.

“The industry cannot continue to thrive and provide the necessary quality of service under the existing framework,” he asserted.

The sector has intensified its efforts to gain approval for relaxing pricing regulations that have been in place for 11 years, in light of soaring annual inflation that reached 34.6% in November and the notable depreciation of the naira against the dollar.

If the pricing issue is resolved, Toriola is optimistic that 2025 will be a favorable year for operators. He noted that the MTN Group Ltd subsidiary intends to boost voice and data revenue this year by expanding coverage in rural areas and enhancing 5G broadband access.

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