The House of Representatives has asked the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to suspend the planned hike in telecommunications tariffs till there is quality service improvement.
The issue was a point of deliberation at the house plenary on Tuesday where a lawmaker representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oboji Oforji moved the motion of urgent public importance which was later adopted
Oboji while presenting his case at the meeting express concerns over possible cost of the decision on the Nigeria digital economy and other sectors and contemplated quality service delivery from the telecom company before engaging price increase.
“The proposed increase will worsen financial struggles, deepen poverty, and widen inequality,” he warned.
“The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers has rejected the proposed increase in tariffs, describing it as insensitive and a further burden on consumers already grappling with economic hardship, and poor network service delivery.
“It is imperative that the telecommunications companies improve on their service delivery (poor network), which Nigerians have been yearning for in years, before embarking on the increase in their tariffs.”
He also quoted the ministers words at a stakeholders meeting with mobile telecom operators held in Abuja on January, 2025 where he announced the planned increase in the telecommunications tariffs with consultations ongoing due to agitations from some companies to increase tariffs up to 100 percent, adding that it would not be a 100 percent but the NCC would announce them after approval,
According to reports some telecom providers have already raised prices up to 200%.
The increment has made concerned Nigerians took to their social media handles to pass aggression over the sudden development, and an alternative measures, subscribers have started switching to alternative network providers.
Consumer advocacy groups, including the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, have condemned the increase, calling it “insensitive” considering the economic challenge on Nigerians.
At the plenary, an APC member from Edo, Billy Osawaru supported the motion, stating, “Nigerians wouldn’t mind paying more if service delivery improves, but first, telecom firms must justify the need for these increases.”
Also, a member of APGA from Anambra, Dominic Okafor, supported the hike, explaining that the rising cost of doing business necessitates higher tariffs.
The House has now called on the NCC to review the tariff hike proposal with stakeholders and ensure affordable and quality telecom services for Nigerians.
