Nigeria's telecoms regulator will approve a 50% increase in current tariffs following a request from telecommunications operators, in line with rising costs in Africa's most populous nation, it said on Monday.

Nigeria agreed to allow telecommunications providers to increase tariffs for the first time in 12 years. The 50% adjustment was half of what companies including MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, had asked for to weather harsh economic conditions,

Nigerians have vowed to drag the federal government to court over approval of a 50 percent increase in calls, data, and other telecommunication tariffs. In an instant multiplier effect, Point of Sales Operators have hinted at plans to increase their service charges.