Two prominent subscriber advocacy groups, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) and the Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria, have issued an ultimatum to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), demanding a reversal of the recently approved 50% telecom tariff hike to a more manageable 10%.
The groups have given the NCC until Wednesday, January 29, 2025, to address their concerns, threatening to pursue legal action if their demands are not met.
Speaking on the issue, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) President, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, disclosed that the group had engaged the NCC in discussions, hoping for a favorable resolution. Ogunbanjo stated, “We have made our appeals to the NCC and are giving them time to respond. If we don’t hear back by Wednesday, we will release a communique outlining our discussions and consider filing a lawsuit.”
The tariff adjustment, approved on January 20, marked the first increase since 2013, raising the minimum cost of phone calls from N6.40 to N9.60 per minute. Telecom operators initially sought a 100% hike, citing inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and rising operational costs, but the NCC settled for a 50% increment.
Despite acknowledging the economic strain on consumers, Ogunbanjo emphasized that telcos are private entities that require protection to sustain their operations. He also criticized the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for its planned protests against the tariff hike, calling their actions “misguided.”
Similarly, the President of the Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria, Sina Bilesanmi, urged the NLC to focus on workers’ welfare rather than telecom issues. He argued, “The NLC has no jurisdiction over telecom matters. Advocacy groups like ours are actively addressing subscribers’ concerns.”
Meanwhile, the NLC President, Joseph Ajaero, lambasted the government for prioritizing revenue generation over citizens’ welfare. Ajaero argued that the tariff increase would disproportionately burden low-income earners already struggling to meet basic needs.
He further criticized the government’s reliance on imported telecom equipment, urging the promotion of local manufacturing to reduce costs. “The government has failed to strike a balance between corporate interests and the welfare of the people,” Ajaero said.
The tariff hike has reignited debates over the government’s role in regulating private businesses and the broader impact on Nigeria’s digital economy, with stakeholders divided on how best to address the challenges facing the telecom sector.