Airtel Nigeria’s data revenue fell to $344m for the nine months ending December 31, 2024, marking a decline from $539m recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Despite a 37.2 per cent surge in data usage per customer—rising to 8.4 gigabytes per month from 6.2GB—the telco struggled to convert the increased demand into higher revenue, it said in its financial report analysed on Tuesday.

With a subscriber base of 56.6 million, the second biggest operator introduced a data tariff hike on Monday, following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s approval of a 50mm per cent industry-wide tariff adjustment.

This move brings Airtel in line with its major competitors, such as MTN, which also raised prices for both calls and data services. The company anticipates that the tariff adjustment will foster revenue recovery in the coming months.

“The price increase, which was highly needed for the survival and continued growth of the industry, will enable us to continue investing in network infrastructure, expanding coverage, and delivering improved products and services that meet the evolving needs of our customers,” Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, said in a note shared with The PUNCH in January.

Airtel’s financial performance has been buoyed by strong demand for mobile data, with a 31.4 per cent rise in average revenue per user.

However, the depreciation of the naira has weighed on its reported revenue. The new tariff structure is expected to help stabilize earnings in the coming quarters.

The company also reported an 8.2 per cent increase in the number of data customers, alongside the surge in ARPU.

“Data revenue surged by 44.3 per cent in constant currency, driven by solid growth in both the number of data customers and ARPU, which grew by 8.2 per cent and 31.4 per cent, respectively,” the report stated.

Additionally, smartphone users are consuming more data, with average usage climbing to 11.2GB per month, up from 8.8GB in the previous period.

Nigerian telecom operators have faced mounting financial strain due to an 11-year delay in tariff adjustments. The prolonged price stagnation has led to a projected $11.3bn revenue shortfall between 2022 and 2026, primarily driven by the naira’s depreciation and escalating operational costs.

The inability to increase tariffs in line with economic realities has significantly eroded earnings, with operators grappling with forex losses and high inflation despite nominal revenue growth.

Organised Labour through the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has forced the Federal Government to reduce telecommunications tariff hike from 50 percent to 35 percent.

Vanguard gathered that the reduction followed a meeting of the 10-man committee comprising government and NLC representatives at the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, on Friday, February 21, 2025.

According to government sources, an official communique announcing the tariff reduction is expected to be released any moment from Saturday, February 22.

It was gathered that the meeting started around 4 pm and ended about 7 pm, where NLC representatives insisted that the tariff hike must be withdrawn.

Sources informed Vanguard that after much pressure from NLC representatives in the 10-man committee, the government and NCC buckled and agreed on 15 percent reduction.

Recall that NLC had on February 12, expressed outrage over the hike in tariff by telecommunications companies despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and demanded immediate reversal of the hike to avoid unpleasant consequences.

According to NLC, “If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025.”

To show its seriousness, NLC declared that as a first step in resisting the arbitrary tariff hike, it directed that from Thursday, February 13, 2025, (today) workers and other willing citizens should boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.

Leaders of NLC in a communique at the end of their Central Working Committee, CWC, meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, Tuesday, February 11, urged workers and citizens to suspend the purchase of data from the telecommunications companies which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.

The communique signed by the President and General Secretary of Congress, Joe Ajaero and Emma Ugboaja, respectively, directed NLC State Councils and industrial union affiliates to commence immediate sensitisation and mobilisation of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.

The communique reads “The CWC of the NLC was convened in Lokoja, Kogi State, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, to deliberate on pressing national issues, including the 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike, the proposed Tax Reform Bills, and to rollout the Compressed Natural Gas CNG -powered buses for the North Central Zone of Nigeria.

Tariff hike

“The CWC received with grave concern the news that telecommunications companies have commenced the implementation of a 50 percent tariff hike today (February 11), despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). “It was recalled that a 10-man committee had been constituted to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff structure.

“The CWC strongly condemns this action by the telecommunications companies, describing it as a betrayal of trust, an affront to the principles of negotiation, and a direct slap on the government and its institutions and a disdain for Nigerian people.

“CWC-in-session believes that this is a further demonstration of Regulatory capture and impotence in the midst of corporate onslaught and the continuing abandonment of workers and masses to corporate fat cats by the government.

“This unwarranted and premature tariff hike demands an immediate response from our collective resolve since government clearly favours the rich against the people.

Resolutions

“The CWC demands an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect today( February 11), and insists that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.

“As a first step in resisting this arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed that, beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigerian workers and other willing citizens shall boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.

“All workers and citizens are urged to suspend the purchase of Data from these companies which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.

“We also demand the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the country by these companies.

“If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total

shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025.

“All NLC State Councils are directed to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.

“All NLC Affiliate Unions are requested to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.

“We implore all of our Civil society allies and other interested stakeholders are to join us in making this action effective.”

Tax reform bills

On the Tax reform bills, the communique said “the CWC also reviewed the ongoing discussions around the Tax Reform Bills being considered by the government. While acknowledging the need for fiscal reforms, the Congress insists that any tax policies must be designed to alleviate the burdens on Nigerian workers and not worsen the existing economic hardship.

“The NLC shall engage with relevant authorities to ensure that tax reforms are fair, equitable, and worker-friendly.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and citizens. The CWC calls on all Nigerians to unite in this struggle against exploitative economic policies and to actively participate in the outlined actions to demand justice and fairness in telecommunications, taxation, and transportation policies.”

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has issued a 7-day ultimatum to the management of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company to return to the negotiation table regarding the ‘service no longer required’ letters given to some affected staff.

The union in a statement issued by its Zonal Organising Secretary 1, North West zone, Ayuba Pukat accused the management of going ahead to serve the affected staff the new letters despite talks between the union and the management.

Recall that on 3rd February, 2025, staff of Kaduna Electric embarked on an indefinite strike over an alleged plan by the management to dismiss over 900 workers among other grievances which left residents of the state in blackout for five days.

The management of the electricity company through its Head, Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi has however clarified that contrary to claims by labour unions that 900 staff members were affected, the company confirmed that ‘services no longer required’ letters were issued to 450 employees.

Weekend Trust further recalls that it took the intervention of Governor Uba Sani for workers to suspend the 5-day strike action after which it was resolved that both the management and the labour union meet together and take a decision on the planned downsising of the workforce, while the management will also halt its earlier decision to sack workers.

But issuing the new ultimatum in a letter addressed to the Managing Director titled: ‘Notice of seven days’ ultimatum for total withdrawal of service in Kaduna electric’, Pukat said, “It is disheartening that Kaduna Electric management do not see reasons to call the union back to the negotiation table to consider the concern raised.”

“We are by this giving Kaduna Electric seven (7) days ultimatum to return back to the negotiation table. Failure to do so will not guarantee industrial peace in the company.”

Microsoft has pledged a $1 million (N1.6 billion) investment over the next two years to bolster Nigeria’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, positioning the country as a leading AI hub in Africa.

The announcement was made by Ola Williams, Microsoft’s Managing Director for Nigeria and Ghana, during the AI Nigeria Tour in Lagos. She was joined by Lilian Barnard, President of Microsoft Africa.

The initiative aims to train one million Nigerians in AI and emerging technologies, aligning with the country’s draft National AI Strategy, which seeks to equip 70% of its young workforce with AI-related skills. This move is expected to support job creation, as AI is projected to contribute $15 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030, with the global AI market expected to generate over 70 million new jobs.

Through its AI Skilling Program, Microsoft will offer training in AI, digital skills, and cybersecurity to youth, women, business leaders, and public sector executives. The program is designed to enhance digital literacy, drive economic growth, and encourage wider adoption of AI and cloud technologies.

“At Microsoft, we believe AI has the potential to transform economies and societies. Our commitment to enhancing AI skills in Nigeria is a testament to our dedication to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve more,” Williams stated.

The investment aligns with the Nigerian government’s priorities to drive economic growth, industrialization, and digital transformation. Microsoft has been involved in Nigeria’s skills development since 2021, partnering with the government to upskill Nigerians through the 3MTT platform, which had engaged over four million Nigerians by early 2024.

This AI skilling initiative underscores Microsoft’s long-term commitment to building a digitally inclusive Nigeria while fostering innovation and job creation in the AI sector.

Immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari again avoided physical contact with former Nigeria’s military president, Ibrahim Babangida, otherwise called IBB, during the public presentation of his memoir, ‘A Journey In Service.’

The autobiography of the former military president took place at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja and was attended by President Bola Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Military Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo and Namadi Sambo among others.

Buhari was, however, absent but sent a message of goodwill. His absence, however, highlighted old grievances between the two top military generals from the North following the military coup that was led by IBB, then Major General, who overthrew him in 1985.

The coup that occurred on 27 August 1985 led to the detention of Buhari in Benin City until 1988, well after his mother’s death.

The two generals have not attended an event together or crossed paths since the coup, which many said is due to Buhari’s unwillingness to forget the past.

During all the presidential campaigns in Minna, Niger State, in the lead-up to the 2015 and 2019 elections, which Buhari won, he did not pay IBB the customary courtesy homage that Nigerian politicians are wont to do during such occasions.