Nigeria’s largest telecom operator, MTN, has commenced the gradual implementation of a 50 per cent tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January. The adjustment, which is evident in the updated prices of data plans, leaves call and SMS rates unaffected for the time being. A senior executive from MTN, who doesn’t want to be mentioned, confirmed …

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, on Tuesday defended the decision to approve a 50 per cent tariff hike for telecom services, despite widespread backlash and legal threats from advocacy groups and subscribers. Minister Tijani, who appeared before lawmakers to defend the ministry’s budget, explained that the tariff hike was driven by broader economic pressures, including …

Nigerians are to pay more for data, calls and Short Message Service (SMS), following the 50 per cent hike in end-user tariffs approved for service providers by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday. The nod, which was half of the Mobile Network Operators’ (MNOs’) demand, came shortly after a virtual meeting of Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (IACF), which is an …

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has summoned the acting Director-General of the National Commission against the Proliferation of Arms, Light Weapons and Pipeline Vandalism (NATCOM), Mr Adejare Nurudeen Adegbenro to appear before it following his failure to liquidate an alleged judgment debt. Adegbenro, according to the summons, is the third judgment debtor in a N2,016228,442.95 debt …

The National Commission for the Coordination and Control of Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATCOM), on Tuesday, raised concern over the proliferation and infiltration of arms and ammunition in Africa. The agency said the development had fuelled conflicts in various parts of the continent. In a statement by the acting Director-General of NATCOM, Adejare Adegbenro in Abuja, lamented …

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court (Lagos division) challenging the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) on telecommunications services, as taxable services. The suit, which was filed last Friday, is also challenging the imposition and implementation of excise duty charges on telecommunications services. The registered trustees of NATCOMS, led by …

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed five percent excise duty on telecommunications services. Announcing the suspension in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, said the decision was arrived at by stakeholders, asserting that the telecommunications sector already has challenges of multiple taxes. He spoke during the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Committee …