The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it is working on measures to ensure the availability of more affordable smartphones in the Nigerian market.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this during a media interaction with journalists in Abuja on Friday.
Reports indicate that smartphone prices in Nigeria have surged to record levels in 2026, driven largely by currency depreciation and inflation. Entry-level devices now typically cost above N100,000, while mid-range smartphones such as the Infinix Hot 60 Pro and Tecno Spark 40 Pro range between N150,000 and over N250,000. Premium devices, however, can exceed N1 million.
In the current market structure, budget smartphones are priced between N100,000 and N200,000, with models like the Redmi 15C (N176,999) and Samsung Galaxy A07 (N168,869) dominating the category.
Mid-range devices fall within the N200,000 to N400,000 range, including phones such as the Infinix Hot 60 Pro (N240,400) and Tecno Spark 40 Pro Plus (about N283,800), which offer improved features and performance.
High-end smartphones, priced from N500,000 upward, include devices like the Tecno Phantom X5 Pro, which sells for over N550,000, while Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series exceed N1.6 million.
Meanwhile, used or “UK-used” phones remain popular among consumers seeking cheaper alternatives, with devices like the iPhone 11 Pro Max selling for around N495,000.
Experts attribute the rising cost of smartphones to factors such as foreign exchange volatility, import duties, and inflation.
“We are exploring ways to ensure that more affordable smartphones are introduced into the market,” Maida said.
He noted that despite the high prices, there is a steady shift toward smartphone usage, particularly on 4G networks.
“More users are transitioning from 3G and 2G to 4G. This shows that smartphone adoption is increasing, with over 52% of users now on 4G,” he added.
Maida also commended media coverage of the telecommunications sector, describing it as vital in supporting policy implementation, informing the public, and ensuring accountability.
He said the NCC operates on a philosophy of transparency, pointing to initiatives such as tariff simplification directives, the Major Outage Reporting Portal, and ongoing efforts to address infrastructure challenges like fibre cuts.
He further mentioned that while compliance with some directives is still in progress due to technical considerations, significant progress is being made.
According to him, the NCC Commission is also working on corporate governance guidelines with a 24-month compliance timeline, resolving USSD debt issues, and addressing broader sustainability concerns in the industry.
Maida added that collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser on protecting Critical National Infrastructure is beginning to yield positive results.
