The Nigerian government has maintained its stance on a 50 percent hike in telecom tariffs, despite widespread calls from Nigerians and telecommunications subscribers to either reverse or reduce the increase to 10 percent.
This decision has sparked a national outcry, prompting the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to mobilize workers across the country for a planned shutdown of economic activities in protest. The nationwide demonstration is scheduled for February 4, 2025.
Public Outrage and Appeals to NCC
On January 24, 2025, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) submitted a formal request to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), urging a reduction in the approved 50 percent telecom tariff increase. In a letter signed by its national president, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, NATCOMS criticized the hike, labeling it an “overkill” given the concurrent increases in fuel and electricity prices.
“It is quite regrettable that the Commission seems to have abdicated its primary responsibility of protecting telecoms consumers from the relentless drive of operators to maximize profits at all costs,” the letter read.
The association further appealed to the government to explore alternative funding measures for telecom operators, emphasizing that even if a tariff hike was necessary, a 10 percent increase would have been more reasonable.
Labour and Civil Society Groups Mobilize Protest
Despite these appeals, the federal government and the NCC have yet to reconsider their decision. In response, the NLC, in a communiqué signed by its president, Joe Ajaero, condemned the tariff hike as “insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace already burdened by economic hardships.”
“To express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike, the NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025,” the communiqué stated.
Ajaero highlighted that the increase disproportionately affects a struggling population earning a minimum wage of N70,000, further strained by rising fuel costs, inflation, and electricity tariff hikes.
A coalition of civil society organizations, including the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, and the Take It Back Movement, has also pledged support for the NLC’s protest, vowing to stand against the policy.
Legal Actions and Government’s Justification
Meanwhile, some Nigerians have resorted to legal action. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) recently filed a lawsuit challenging the tariff hike, seeking a court ruling to halt its implementation.
The government, through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has defended the decision, attributing the hike to rising inflation and increased operational costs in the telecommunications sector. However, the administration has refused to reconsider the policy despite mounting opposition.
Telcos Insist on Implementation
Telecommunications operators, through the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), have reiterated their commitment to implementing the tariff increase. ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, stated in an interview with DAILY POST that telcos had adhered to due process in seeking the tariff adjustment and urged subscribers to brace for the upcoming changes.
As the February 4 deadline approaches, tensions remain high, with many Nigerians eagerly watching to see whether the government will yield to public pressure or proceed with implementing the controversial tariff hike.
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