The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to engage telecommunications operators on reviewing the rising cost of data services, which has placed a heavy financial burden on millions of Nigerians, especially young entrepreneurs and digital professionals.
This resolution followed a motion titled “Urgent Need to Address the Increased Cost of Data Services in Nigeria,” sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), which was widely supported by lawmakers during plenary on Wednesday.
Telecommunications companies, including MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, had early February increased the costs of data and airtime plans after securing approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), citing escalating operational expenses as a key reason for the hike.
While presenting the motion, Senator Ekpenyong expressed concern that the over 200 per cent rise in data costs had placed significant economic strain on Nigerians, particularly youths who rely on the internet for their businesses and careers.
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He noted that many young Nigerians engage in various digital-based ventures such as e-commerce, software development, web design, mobile app creation, social media content creation, online education, and cryptocurrency trading.
“The Senate is concerned that fibre-optic internet services remain unaffordable for the average young Nigerian, leaving them heavily dependent on mobile telecommunications companies for internet access. The sudden substantial increase in data costs threatens their economic survival and limits access to critical digital services,” the motion read in part.
Lawmakers further highlighted that the high cost of doing business in Nigeria, compounded by infrastructural challenges, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and rising diesel prices, has contributed to the telecom sector’s operational difficulties.
Furthermore, they stressed the need for urgent government intervention to ensure internet services remain affordable.
However, Senators unanimously endorsed the motion, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasizing that implementing the resolution would help young entrepreneurs sustain their businesses.
He noted that ensuring affordable data access would not only support individual livelihoods but also contribute to national economic growth by fostering innovation and increasing revenue generation.
The motion partly reads, “The Senate notes that young Nigerians have embraced the digital economy, leveraging the internet for various income-generating activities, including e-commerce and online trading software development, web design, and mobile app creation, content creation on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, online education and professional skill development and cryptocurrency trading.
“Concerned that fibre-optic internet services remain unaffordable for the average young Nigerian, leaving them heavily dependent on mobile telecommunications companies for internet access and the sudden substantial increase in data costs threatens their economic survival and limits access to critical digital services.
“Aware that the high cost of doing business in Nigeria is driven by multiple challenges, bottlenecks that slow down business operations and high cost of diesel, (the Senate) believes that urgent government intervention is required to ensure affordable internet access remains available to Nigerians, particularly the youth, who are the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy.”
