Telecom subscribers demand sanctions against telecom operators in Nigeria over tariff hike implementation 

The National President of NATCOMS, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, disclosed this in an interview with the NAN.

He noted that implementing the tariff hike before a resolution is reached on the final telecom tariff structure contradicts the agreement between the NCC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) established a 10-member committee to deliberate on the proposed 50% telecommunications tariff hike on February 3, 2025.

In response, the NLC has condemned this action and has called for a boycott of services from MTN, Airtel, and Glo between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM daily, starting from February 13, 2025, until the end of the month. The NLC has also threatened a total shutdown of these companies’ operations nationwide if the tariff is not reversed by the end of February.

According to Ogunbanjo, the premature implementation of the tariff hike is a violation that warrants sanctions. He emphasized that the NCC had agreed to hold a stakeholders’ meeting with the NLC, telecom subscribers, and operators within two weeks to address the issue.

However, he pointed out that the meeting has yet to take place, and the stipulated two-week period had not elapsed before some telecom firms started implementing the new rates.

“This is an affront and defaulters should be sanctioned,” he said.

“I am sure you are aware that NATCOMS was prepared to head to court to challenge the 50 per cent tariff hike but decided to wait for the outcome of the stakeholders’ meeting. 

“This is the advice that was given to the subscribers association by its national general secretary who happens to be a lawyer. 

“So why should the hike be implemented when the stakeholders’ meeting is yet to be held? 

“The NCC should, as a matter of urgency, sanction the telcos for implementing an upward review of tariffs,” he added.

Dialing *312# on the MTN network revealed that the telecom provider had updated its data pricing.

Similarly, other telecom networks have reviewed their text messaging prices from N4.00 to N6.00 per SMS.

The NCC, Nigeria’s telecom industry regulator, had in January approved a 50% tariff adjustment for telecom operators, citing rising operational costs and the need to sustain the industry. This decision was made under the Commission’s regulatory authority as outlined in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, which empowers the NCC to regulate and approve telecom tariffs and charges.

The NCC’s approval was a response to requests from telecom operators, who had initially sought a 100% increase in tariffs to address escalating operational expenses. The Commission, however, settled on a 50% adjustment after considering the prevailing economic conditions and the need to balance operator sustainability with consumer protection.

The NCC’s approval was a response to requests from telecom operators, who had initially sought a 100% increase in tariffs to address escalating operational expenses. The Commission, however, settled on a 50% adjustment after considering the prevailing economic conditions and the need to balance operator sustainability with consumer protection.