The Nigerian Communications Commission on Wednesday announced the immediate suspension of the new minimum pricing template for data services by mobile operators.
The new rate, which would have led to price increase in data for some Nigerians, was scheduled to take effect from December 1.
The NCC said the decision is to allow for further consultation.
The NCC’s decision comes a few hours after the Senate ordered a stop to the planned increase.
Earlier, the Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu, disclosed that the Federal Government never gave any directive to telecommunications operators in the country to increase prices of data from Thursday, December 1, 2016 as claimed.
Speaking on RayPower FM’s Fact File programme on Wednesday, the Minister said he was never consulted before the announcement was made. He stressed that the government did not authorise the operators to raise the tariffs.
He assured Nigerians that the government would look into the matter and continue to protect their interests.
He said; “I can tell you that I was never a party to it (data tariff hike). Government never gave any such instruction. This government believes in democratic process and we would continue to protect the interest of Nigerians. I can assure you we would do that (protect interest of Nigerians),”.
