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Just in: FG Endorses Telcos Tariff Increase

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, says that telecom tariffs will soon increase but assures Nigerians that it will not be the 100 per cent that telecom operators are pushing for at the moment.

The Minister disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on Wednesday in Abuja. He said consultations and engagements were ongoing to arrive at an acceptable rate, assuring that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), would soon approve the new tariffs and make it public to Nigerians.

“You have seen over the past weeks that there has been agitation from some of these companies to increase tariff. They are requesting for 100 per cent tariff increase

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“But it will not be by 100 per cent. We are still looking at that study and NCC will come up with a clear directive on how we will go about it.

“We want to strike the balance as a government to protect our people, but also protect and ensure that these companies can continue to invest significantly.

“We need to ensure that as a sector, we get our acts together, ensure that from the regulation side, we put the right regulations in place that can ensure the growth of this sector.”

The Minister also noted that the Federal Government would no longer leave investments on infrastructure in the sector to private companies alone

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As a country, over time, we have left this investments in the hands of the private sector. They typically invest where they can see returns in the short to medium term.

“We will not want this conversation to just be about tariff increase. I think what the world is talking about today is meaningful connectivity.

“You want to have access to very good quality service.

“A part of it that the consumers may not be aware of is the investment that needs to go into the infrastructure that is used to deliver these services,” he said.

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The Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC), of the NCC Dr Aminu Maida said that the meeting with stakeholders was about the sustainability of the industry.

“We have looked at all of these factors, and that is why, like the Minister said, it is not likely that we are going to approve 100 per cent tariff increase.

“I know that Nigerians are agitated to hear the exact percentage approved. There is still some stakeholder engagements that we are going through, but you will hear from us within a week or two.”

He said that the NCC had put a number of tools and instruments into place by revising its quality of service regulations for compliance service quality.

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He said that the MNOs must comply simplified templates to show Nigerians charges per minute for voice calls, SMS and a megabyte of data.

“We are moving away from the regime where you will have a main rate, then you will now have a bonus which is at a different rate.

“It makes it often complicated and difficult for Nigerians to actually understand what they are being charged for.

“This is one of the things when we took a lot of time over the past year looking at data there is this agitation that the MNOs are stealing our data,” he said.

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The CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, represented by Femi Adeniran, Airtel media spokes person, noted that for the telecoms commitment to delivering superior connectivity and fostering digital inclusion, there is need for tariff increments.

“The economic realities of rising operational and capital costs, necessitated the proposed tariff adjustments.

This is aimed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector while unlocking significant benefits for Nigerian consumers,” he said.

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Wike’s aide rubbishes Falana, queries his contribution to legal profession

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A major controversy has erupted in Nigeria’s legal space as Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly queried human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), over his qualifications and contributions to the legal profession.

In a statement released on Monday, Olayinka criticized Falana’s recent remarks regarding the appointment of legal professionals as Life Benchers, claiming that the senior lawyer has done little beyond making public commentary.

“It is funny and ridiculous that in the mind of Falana, only those who have handled cases in trial or appellate courts are lawyers, and that a lawyer must have done so to be qualified as a Life Bencher,” Olayinka stated.

Defending the credibility of Wike’s recent nomination to the Body of Benchers, Olayinka said the former Rivers State Governor earned the position on merit due to his tangible contributions to legal education.

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He highlighted Wike’s role in developing the Nigerian Law School campuses in Port Harcourt and Yenagoa, as well as ongoing projects under his leadership in the FCT, including a 10-unit housing project for the Law School in Bwari and the provision of operational vehicles.

Turning the spotlight on Falana, Olayinka asked, “What has Falana contributed to the legal profession?”

He went on to contrast Falana’s alleged lack of infrastructure or educational support with prominent legal figures like Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) and Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who have invested heavily in law centers and legal initiatives, especially in Ekiti State, Falana’s home state.

Olayinka also accused Falana of misleading the public and clients regarding recent legal decisions, particularly on issues related to the Rivers State House of Assembly. He referenced Falana’s comments on national television disputing the Supreme Court’s role in ruling on the defection of lawmakers, labeling his interpretation “deceptive.”

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According to Olayinka, it was on the basis of the Supreme Court judgment that the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt dismissed the Labour Party’s suit on the defection matter.”

He also took issue with Falana’s position that three lawmakers could perform legislative functions in the 32-member Rivers Assembly, arguing it contradicts the constitutional requirement for a quorum.

“If as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, you could tell your client that Section 96 (1) of the Constitution of Nigeria is useless… then questions need to be asked as to how exactly you qualified as a SAN,” he said.

The statement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding the Rivers State Assembly crisis and raises questions about standards within the Nigerian legal profession.

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Neither Femi Falana nor his representatives have issued a response as of the time of filing this report.

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2027 presidency: Bauchi Gov. Bala Mohammed’s posters flood Bauchi streets

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Posters of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala A. Mohammed, with the inscription ‘Kaura for President 2027’ have flooded Bauchi streets, Daily Trust can report.

The posters were placed at strategic places including roundabouts, electrical poles and signboards along major streets within the state capital.

Daily Trust observed that the posters were visible along major streets of Railway road, Sabon Titin Karofi and Kofar Dumi street among others.

One of the youths hired for the pasting the posters, Aminu Auwal, told Daily Trust that two politicians identified as Ya’u Ortega and Talolo, contracted them to do the job.

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Auwal said: “We were directed to post the governor’s posters along major steers of Bauchi state. We started the work around 1am today and we are hoping to finish it today.”

Efforts to reach Ortega and Talolo for comment proved abortive as their phone numbers did not connect as of the time our reporter attempted to reach them for comments.

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Ganduje to Galadima: “You’re not qualified to query my electoral value’

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Abdulahi Ganduje rubbishes Buba Galadima over comment declaring he is not qualified as a failed politician to query his electoral value.

On Thursday, Galadima, chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), said Ganduje has no political value and owes his current position solely to President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued by Oliver Okpara, his senior special assistant on public enlightenment, Ganduje described Galadima as “a failed politician with no political base”.

“His statement clearly portrays him as a mischievous personality, politically,” the statement reads.

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“Ganduje is well known, tested and trusted, result-orientated technocrat and politician of high repute who successfully led Kano for two uninterrupted terms.

“He is a man with infallible proof of performance across Kano and beyond.

“His developmental projects are still littered across Kano state, a testament of his unbroken connection with the people.

“Ganduje is a grassroots politician with results to show. Where are Galadima’s results?

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“Galadima should know that the APC ship under the leadership of Dr. Ganduje is sailing smoothly and the party has continued to wax stronger under him.

“The same cannot be said of Buba Galadima’s NNPP which has continued to suffer serious lacerations due to an intractable and untreatable factionalization.”

On April 7, Galadima alleged that there was a plot by some people to destabilise Kano and force the federal government to declare emergency rule in the state.

Speaking on Jigsaw, a political programme aired on AIT, Galadima said those behind the plot were hatching it without Tinubu’s knowledge.

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