At the 7th edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) held in Lagos, Nigerian telecommunications operators explored the possibility of moving away from the current national tariff structure to a more regionally-based pricing model.
Industry stakeholders engaged in extensive discussions about the challenges faced by telecom companies in providing consistent services across different regions of Nigeria. Experts highlighted that operational costs, infrastructure investments, and regulatory hurdles vary significantly from state to state, making a uniform national tariff model less sustainable.
Telecom operators emphasized that factors such as insecurity, high diesel costs, limited access to reliable electricity, and varying state-imposed taxes contribute to the uneven cost of service delivery. With these disparities, a regional pricing model could allow operators to adjust tariffs based on the unique economic and operational conditions of each state, ensuring financial sustainability while maintaining service quality.
A key argument in favor of the proposed model is that it would encourage more investment in underserved areas where telecom infrastructure is costly to maintain. By allowing flexible pricing, operators believe they can expand their networks, improve service delivery, and enhance connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach regions.
However, concerns were also raised about the potential impact on consumers, particularly those in lower-income regions who might face higher tariffs. Regulators and policymakers will need to carefully assess the implications to ensure affordability and prevent digital exclusion.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other regulatory bodies are expected to review the proposal and engage with stakeholders before any policy changes are implemented. The discussion at PIAFo 2025 marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to balance affordability, business sustainability, and digital inclusion in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
