MTN Nigeria, one of the country’s leading telecom providers, has proposed doubling its call and data tariffs. The company’s CEO, Karl Toriola, shared this update during an interview on Arise TV.

According to Toriola, the proposal has been submitted to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for approval. The tariff increase is meant to cover rising operational costs. However, Toriola admitted that the NCC might not approve such a large hike because of the economic challenges currently affecting Nigerians.

“We’ve requested about a 100% increase in tariffs from the regulators,” Toriola said. “But I doubt they will approve this because they are very sensitive to the current economic situation.”

The proposal has fueled ongoing discussions about telecom companies increasing service charges this year. The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, recently warned of a potential shutdown of telecom operations if tariffs are not adjusted.

However, the move has faced strong opposition from subscribers, who argue that the increased cost of living makes such a hike unaffordable.

For now, the final decision lies with the NCC, which will consider the proposal and the economic realities before making a ruling.