The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission for regulatory interventions that have strengthened stability and restored investor confidence in the nation’s telecommunications sector. The commendation was delivered during a courtesy visit to Idris Olorunnimbe, Chairman of the NCC Board, where industry leaders acknowledged recent policy actions as critical to addressing structural pressures that had weighed heavily on operators.
Speaking on behalf of the operators, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo said targeted foreign exchange reforms and the resolution of nearly ₦300 billion in accumulated USSD debt significantly eased financial strain in the industry. He explained that telecom operators had long grappled with a mismatch between revenues earned in Naira and costs denominated in foreign currencies, particularly for bandwidth, network equipment and international traffic obligations. The migration of USSD billing to an end user billing framework, he noted, eliminated systemic debts and transformed what had become a looming financial crisis into a more sustainable operational model.
On pricing, Adebayo described the Commission’s approval of tariff adjustments after 13 years of static rates as a necessary intervention. He observed that prolonged inflation, exchange rate volatility and escalating energy costs had pushed service pricing below viable cost levels, creating risks of service rationing and under investment. According to him, the tariff review has helped stabilise networks, revive capital expenditure planning and protect the sector from gradual decline.
Despite these gains, the ALTON chairman raised concerns over recurring fibre cuts linked to road construction and related activities. He called for stricter enforcement of consequence management measures, insisting that contractors responsible for damaging telecom infrastructure must be held accountable and compelled to restore connectivity before resuming work. He stressed that without clear accountability, service disruptions would continue to undermine consumer experience and economic productivity.
In his response, Olorunnimbe described telecommunications as the central nervous system of the economy, warning that connectivity failures can ripple across commerce, education, healthcare and governance. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to regulatory independence, fairness and constructive partnership with operators to improve service quality. The NCC Board Chairman also reiterated ongoing efforts to enforce Critical National Infrastructure protections and urged operators to align with broader national priorities, including expanding access to underserved communities and exploring zero rated educational platforms to support inclusive development.