"NCC Asserts Unreadiness for Tariff Increase Amid Subsidy Removal"

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that it currently has no plans to increase tariffs following the removal of subsidies. According to the NCC, such a decision is not made unilaterally but involves consultations within the industry, which takes time to reach a consensus.

This disclosure was made during an event in Lagos where the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and the Commission's Head of Public Affairs, Mr Rueben Mouka, were honored with Titans of Tech awards. While Danbatta was recognized as the Pan African Telecoms Operator of the year, Mouka received the Digital Public Relations Communicator of the year award.

When asked about the possibility of tariff increases due to subsidy removal, Mr Yomi Arowosafe, representing Danbatta at the event, stated that the NCC follows a participative system of engagement and does not rush into raising rates. Arowosafe emphasized the importance of industry-wide consultations before making such decisions, which requires considerable time.

Regarding the awards, Arowosafe expressed his delight and acknowledged the positive strides the industry has made under the leadership of EVC. He thanked Titans of Tech for recognizing the contributions of the EVC and the NCC.

Earlier in the event, Mr Femi Pedro, former deputy governor of Lagos, praised the awards organizers for promoting and encouraging innovators in Nigeria. He also called for a greater focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education from primary to tertiary institutions. Pedro emphasized that embracing STEM is crucial for the country's technological advancement and economic development. He encouraged young people and entrepreneurs to leverage technology and innovation to create wealth and drive economic growth. Pedro also highlighted the potential for foreign investors to contribute to Nigeria's tech sector due to its large population, especially the tech-savvy youth ready to utilize technology for economic prosperity.