Nigerians may soon experience an increase in the cost of telecom services, with the price of 1GB of data potentially rising to N560 under a proposed tariff adjustment.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, during a recent appearance on national TV, revealed that while telecom operators were pushing for a 100 per cent hike in tariffs, the government was only considering an increment of between 30 and 60 per cent.

If a 60 per cent increase is approved, the average cost of phone calls will rise from N11 to N17.6 per minute, SMS charges will increase from N4 to N6.4, and the cost of 1GB of data will jump from N350 to N560.

The clamour for an increase follows the escalating operating costs due to inflation, naira devaluation, and an unstable economic environment.

MTN Nigeria revealed that telecommunications companies were seeking a 100 per cent tariff increase, but it remains uncertain whether the Nigerian Communications Commission—the telecom regulator, will approve the proposal.

The disclosure was made by the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, who said the proposed tariff hike was necessary for the sustainability of the industry which has been facing significant financial pressures due to rising operational costs.

However, Tijani insisted that a 100 per cent increase would be detrimental to citizens who rely heavily on telecom services.

The minister explained that the government was focused on striking a balance between protecting Nigerians and ensuring that telecommunications companies could continue to invest significantly in the sector.

The Catholic Diocese of Warri, has suspended Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe from the priesthood following his reported marriage in the United States.

This was made known in a statement titled: ‘Decree of Suspension’, dated Thursday, January 16, 2025, jointly signed by Bishop of Warri, Rt. Rev, Anthony Ovayero Ewherido and Chancellor/Notary Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo.

The statement alleged that Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with one Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA, on 29 December 2024, noting that the footage of the marriage had been widely circulated on social media.

By this action, the church said that Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon law of the church.

“Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“On November 30, 2024, Rev Fr Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, who has been out of active ministry and without any official assignment in the United States of America, contacted me with a request to be released from all canonical obligations and responsibilities associated with Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic Church.

“The Diocese of Warri reached out to Fr. Oghenerukevwe, requesting the submission of documents required to initiate the process. However, on December 29, 2024, Fr. Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA. Footage of this marriage has been widely circulated on social media.

“May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation,” the statement said.

The spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has rubbished claims that his principal traveled to London for medical treatment.

Olayinka expressed disbelief, querying how Wike could have been rushed to London on Thursday night and yet returned by Friday to visit the Dape community in Life Camp.

He criticized those perpetuating such rumors, noting the irony of questioning the health of a minister who is actively visible in public.

In a Facebook post, Olayinka said, “Some are claiming that FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was flown to London for medical attention on Thursday night.

“They’ve even provided specific times and an aircraft number.

“Well, if Wike was indeed flown to London on Thursday for urgent medical treatment, then he must have used witchcraft to return on Friday to visit the Dape community in Life Camp, as well as Gishiri and Pigba Sama communities in Abuja.

“Interestingly, the Minister will again use his so-called witchcraft to return to Abuja on Monday to commence the commissioning of road projects.

“People who haven’t undergone a medical check-up in over ten years are the ones speculating about the health of a Minister who is actively seen every day performing his duties. Let them continue!”