Reps demand reversal of telecom tariff hike as new charges take effect

The lawmakers directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to halt the tariff hike, which telecom operators began implementing today.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Oboku Oforji, who condemned the poor service quality provided by telecom operators.

He insisted that an increase in tariffs should not take effect until there is a significant improvement in service delivery.

Many subscribers took to social media to express their frustration, noticing a 50% rise in the cost of calls, data, and text messages.

Official data from the NCC as of December 2023 showed that Nigeria had over 224 million active telecom subscribers, with MTN leading the market with 87 million users, Globacom and Airtel following with 61 million subscribers each, and 9mobile had 13.9 million users.

Recall that the NCC had earlier defended the tariff increase, stating that it was lower than the over 100% hike requested by network operators.

The adjustment, according to spokesman Reuben Muoka, is necessary to support ongoing industry reforms aimed at ensuring sustainability. The NCC justified the decision under its powers outlined in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, which grants it authority to regulate and approve telecom charges.

The tariff hike has sparked strong opposition from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), both of which had threatened industrial action unless the government reversed the decision.

However, their planned protests were suspended after last-minute negotiations with government representatives. This backlash comes at a time when Nigerians are facing one of the worst economic crises in decades.

The removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira have triggered soaring inflation and skyrocketing living costs.

Since President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration in May 2023, petrol prices have surged from under ₦200 per litre to over ₦1,100, while the naira has depreciated from ₦700/$ to about ₦1,600/$. The sharp rise in food and commodity prices has also left many Nigerians struggling under an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis.